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Ganduje: Anti-Corruption Group Sends Fresh Petition To EFCC
A coalition of 51 anti-corruption groups has again petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), seeking the immediate arrest and prosecution of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the former Governor of Kano State and current national chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
The petition, dated November 4, 2024, and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 7, 2024, outlined numerous allegations of bribery and misappropriation against Ganduje while he was the governor of Kano State.
Ganduje’s tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023 has been marred by accusations of corruption, including a recent fraud charge filed by the Kano State government.
Specific allegations against Ganduje in the petition included orchestrating a scheme to syphon funds through various accounts, converting them into cash and foreign currencies between 2020 and 2023, and multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, and misappropriation.
A total of 143 witnesses, including local government cashiers, foreign currency exchange operators, and former bank employees, are expected to provide testimony.
But the former Governor has since denied the allegations when he appeared before the state assembly during his tenure.
The governor, who was then represented by a cabinet member, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Muhammad Garba said a video released then was meant to tarnish his image.
Ganduje stated that he had never been involved in a bribery incident and would never be.
He cited examples of a similar fake report published in the past.
“Such untrue publications were done to the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, and also to the former Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau”, Ganduje said in the document denying the allegation as presented by his representative.
But in the new petition co-signed by Dr. Johnson Nebechi and Comrade Umar Ideresu, the convener and the spokesperson, respectively, the National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA) said the allegations warrant immediate investigation and action.
They alleged that, “In 2023, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) invited Ganduje for questioning, but he did not honour the invitation.
“A Kano State High Court also fixed April 17, 2024, for Ganduje’s arraignment on eight counts involving an alleged $413,000 bribe and misappropriation of N1.38 billion.
“NACA demands that the EFCC take swift action, arresting and prosecuting Ganduje, investigating the alleged diversion of N57.43 billion, and recovering the misappropriated funds.
“We urge the EFCC to uphold its mandate to combat corruption and protect public interests, ensuring transparency, accountability, and justice for the Nigerian people.
“The Nigerian people deserve transparency, accountability, and justice.
“We expect the EFCC to demonstrate its commitment to eradicating corruption by pursuing this case with diligence and vigour.”
The former governor is yet to react to the latest allegations.
Controversial Nigerian musician, Portable, has confronted famous Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola, following his viral video with actress Ashabi Simple.
Recall that Portable’s fourth baby mama, Ashabi, was captured in a viral video hugging Odunlade while he playfully asked if she had taken permission from Portable about the hug.
In the trending clip shared by the actor on Instagram, he jokingly said, “Please, for God’s sake, hope you have taken permission from Portable before hugging me? Please go and inform him, 0oo.”
Responding to the video, Portable, who feels offended by the actor’s comment, took to his direct messages to question the motive behind the statement.
Portable wrote in Pidgin: “Wetin you talk inside that video with Ashabi Simple? Please, I respect my home and I no dey use am do movie. Why you go talk say she tell me before coming? Shey una no dey collect money for her hand ni?”
“But why everybody dey talk say I get wahala? Make una dey talk good about me. Me self, I dey loyal, o. Loyalty pass juju.”
Grammy-winning artiste Burna Boy has seemingly issued a cautionary message to Speed Darlington following his recent release from prison.
Darlington was arrested on November 27 while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo state. He was accused of cyberstalking Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning artiste.
Darlington had taunted Burna Boy over his affiliation with the embattled US rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ who is facing multiple charges for sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
He asked Burna Boy to explain how he won the Grammy award for his album ‘Twice As Tall’ — a project executive produced by Diddy. He claimed there was a sexual relationship between the duo.
After two months in the Kuje prison, Darlington was released on Tuesday.
In a now-deleted post via his Instagram story, Burna Boy warned that there would be no leniency if such a situation arose.
“If you like misbehave again, you will go back to where you come from! And this time around, there will be no mercy! Don’t mess with ODG,” he wrote, although he did not mention names.
The police in Abuja first detained Darlington in October 2024 after a formal complaint filed by Burna Boy.
He was, however, released on bail after five days in police detention.
The wife of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria after being released from a UK prison.
Mrs Ekweremadu reportedly arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday.
It will be recalled that Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and a medical doctor, Dr. Obinna Obeta, were convicted in the United Kingdom for their involvement in a controversial organ harvesting case.
The UK court sentenced Senator Ekweremadu to 10 years in prison, while Mrs. Ekweremadu received a six-year sentence.
Recall that Senator Ekweremadu, the wife and one Dr Obinna Obeta were sentenced to prison by a UK court for their involvement in organ harvesting.
The UK court sentenced Senator Ekweremadu to 10 years in prison, while Mrs. Ekweremadu received a six-year sentence.
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