Kano Govt files fresh 10-count charge against Ganduje over alleged Dala Inland Dry Port diversion
The Kano State Government has filed a 10-count charge against former governor Abdullahi Ganduje over the alleged diversion of its equity share in the Dala Inland Dry Port.
The charges were filed on Thursday at the Kano High Court.
Other defendants listed in the suit include Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, former special adviser to Ganduje; Hassan Bello, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council; legal practitioner Adamu Aliyu Sanda; and Ganduje’s two sons, Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar.
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) recently confirmed it had begun probing the alleged diversion of over N4 billion in state funds tied to the Dala Inland Dry Port project.
The investigation revolves around allegations that contracts worth billions of naira were awarded for infrastructure development at the port during Ganduje’s tenure, shortly after the state’s 20 percent equity was allegedly transferred to his family in 2020.
The transaction reportedly removed Kano State from its ownership position and allegedly positioned Ganduje’s children as directors and shareholders in the multi-billion-naira venture.
However, the port’s management denied that members of Ganduje’s family are shareholders.
THE CHARGES
According to the charge sheet obtained by TheCable, the Kano State Government accused Ganduje, his sons, Bello, Sanda, and Bawuro of conspiring to “fraudulently facilitate and execute a collusive agreement for the transfer of 80% shares of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited at Zawachiki, Kumbotso Local Government Area, including the 20% equity belonging to the Kano State Government, under the fictitious entity referred to as City Green Enterprise, thereby concealing and misrepresenting the true ownership in the transaction and unlawfully converting the Kano State’s 20% equity shares to yourselves”.
The government further alleged that Ganduje engaged in fraud and granted undue benefit to himself and his family by misappropriating N4,492,387,013.76 and “diverted same to build and provide a double carriageway, electricity and perimeter fence for your business interest at Dala Inland Dry Port, knowing fully well that it will and thereby causing great financial loss to the Government and people of Kano State.”
It stated that the alleged actions violate provisions of the Kano Penal Code and other state laws.
PREVIOUS CHARGES
Last year, the state government filed an 11-count charge involving bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds running into billions of naira against Ganduje; his wife, Hafsat; his son, Umar Abdullahi Umar; and five others.
Other defendants in that suit included Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
In May 2025, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu of the Kano State High Court dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the defendants challenging the court’s jurisdiction, ruling that it was “incompetent”.
The Court of Appeal recently struck out the appeal contesting the jurisdiction of the state high court to proceed with the corruption trial.