The Kano State Government has formally dismissed its lawsuit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in order to prevent it from investigating the state’s immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
The government’s decision was revealed in a letter addressed to Sanusi Musa, SAN, and filed at Kano’s Federal High Court. Haruna Isa Dederi, Kano Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, signed the letter dated July 4, 2023
In the letter, the Attorney General stated, “We write to notify you that Kano State Government and the Attorney General of Kano State wish to debrief you of the earlier instructions, given to you to handle the case NO: FHC/KN/71/2023 between Attorney General of Kano State and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”
He further instructed the legal counsel to refrain from taking any further steps in the case, including appearing in court or filing any additional processes.
The withdrawal of the suit comes after the Kano state government, under the previous administration led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, had issued a fiat instrument through the Ministry of Justice to restrain the EFCC from investigating the controversial dollar video.
The video, which gained widespread attention, allegedly depicted Governor Ganduje accepting bribes in dollars. The EFCC had initiated an investigation into the matter, but the state government sought to prevent any further inquiries or interrogations by filing the initial lawsuit.
This latest development raises questions about the future of the investigation and the potential implications for Governor Ganduje. However, the reasons behind the withdrawal of the lawsuit have not been explicitly stated by the Kano State Government or the Attorney General.
The decision to withdraw the suit has sparked speculation and garnered public attention, with citizens and various stakeholders eager to understand the motives behind the Kano State Government’s change of position.
As of now, the EFCC has not released an official statement in response to the withdrawal of the lawsuit.
It remains to be seen how this development will impact the ongoing efforts to address corruption allegations and ensure accountability within the Nigerian political landscape.
In light of the withdrawal, further actions by the EFCC will depend on whether they choose to pursue alternative legal avenues or respect the decision made by the Kano State Government.
Only time will tell how this latest twist in the case of the former Kano State Governor unfolds and whether it will bring closure to the controversial dollar video saga or result in further complications and inquiries.