No Going Back On Emir Sanusi’s Probe – Kano Anti-graft Agency
BY SALISU IBRAHIM, KANO – The noose around the neck of 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II is tightening daily with the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission vowing to continue investigating the alleged misappropriation of N3.4 billion by the Kano Emirate Council.
Despite interventions by some prominent figures and the Emirate council’s absolving the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor of financial impropriety, the Kano anti-corruption body says there is no going back on the investigations.
According to the anti-graft agency, everything legally will be done to deliver on its mandate with respect to the allegation case.
The Commission’s Chairman, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, who denied insinuations that the members are being used to witch-hunt the Emir, told a news conference in Kano on Monday that they are acting in line with existing anti-corruption laws in the State.
“By virtue of Section 8 of Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), which provides that in `exercising its powers under this law, the commission shall not be subjected to the direction and control of any authority,” Magaji said.
He further stated thus; “So, the commission is not under the control or discretion of any authority or person.
“As far as the commission is concerned, this investigation is ongoing and the commission will do everything legally possible to deliver its mandate with respect to the case.”
The Chairman said the Commission has to make the public clarification that the on-going probe was not initiated by the Kano state government, but rather a product of numerous petitions and complaints by concerned citizens of Kano state.
For the Commission boss; “After the issuance of query to the Emir of Kano by the government based on the report of the commission, many things have happened which necessitated the Commission as an independent entity to state its position.”
In replying to the State Government’s query last week, the Kano Emirate Council said Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II inherited about N1.8 billion on assumption of office and not N3.4 billion as alleged.
Similarly, the Council exonerated Emir Sanusi of lack of accountability and transparency in handling the Emirate’s affairs, stating that the secretary is accounting officer of the emirate and not the Royal father.
The anti-graft agency had, in its interim report to the State government, said it discovered that the Emirate council allegedly misappropriated funds totaling about N3.4 billion under Emir Sanusi’s watch between 2014 and 2017.
In the recent past, speculations about political differences have ensured there is no love lost between the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led State government and Sanusi who was crowned the Emir of Kano on June 8, 2014 after the death of his granduncle, Emir Ado Bayero.
Apparently in a move to spite Emir Sanusi and check his influence across Kano state and beyond, Governor Ganduje, through the instrumentality of a law passed by the State House of Assembly, bastardized the age-long Kano Emirate, by creating four new emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye and Rano.
Only on Friday, June 7, 2019, Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to the Kano State Governor, acknowledged that a meeting to resolve the simmering crisis between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II took place in Abuja.
According to Anwar, the peace meeting, initiated by Kano-born businessman, Aliko Dangote, and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, extracted commitment from both parties, indicating that a ceasefire may be in sight.
Many political observers blame the frosty relationship on Emir Sanusi’s alleged support for Abba Yusuf, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate in the 2019 gubernatorial poll that Governor Ganduje won under controversial circumstances.
