Kano Government Sues Ganduje, Others Over Alleged N4bn Diversion

The Kano State Government has filed a criminal case against former Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council Hassan Bello, and five others over the alleged diversion of ₦4.49 billion belonging to the state.

The case, numbered KN/252/25, was filed before the Kano State High Court, with the defendants facing a 10-count charge of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.

Other defendants named in the suit include Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar (sons of the former governor), Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro (a former Special Adviser), Adamu Aliyu Sanda, and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly conspired to divert 20 per cent of the state’s equity in the Dala Inland Dry Port investment, valued at ₦4,492,387,013.76, for personal use.

Court documents obtained by The Guardian revealed that the defendants were accused of fraudulently transferring 80 per cent shares of the dry port including the state government’s 20 per cent equity to private firms under a fictitious company, City Green Enterprise, in an attempt to conceal the true ownership.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants used the diverted funds to execute infrastructure projects such as roads, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the port site, purportedly for personal and family benefit.

They are also accused of abuse of office and conflict of interest, allegedly using their official positions to manipulate public resources for private gain, contrary to financial and constitutional regulations.

In a summary of evidence, prosecutors claimed that the accused used shell companies as proxies to hide ownership of the Dala Inland Dry Port, diverted public funds to family businesses, and falsified documents to deceive regulatory authorities. The alleged scheme involved coercing the project’s original founders to surrender control while creating fake documents to facilitate a ₦750 million diversion through Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise).

However, the management of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited (DIDP) has denied any connection between Ganduje and the company. In a statement issued by Barrister Adamu Aliyu Sanda, who also serves as the firm’s Company Secretary and one of the defendants, the management described media reports linking Ganduje to the ownership of DIDP as “false and malicious.”

Sanda maintained that verified records from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and official board resolutions show that neither Ganduje nor any member of his family has ever been a shareholder, director, or signatory to the company.

The case has been scheduled for November 17, 2025, before Justice Yusuf Ubale of the Kano State High Court.