The Kano State Government has filed a lawsuit against former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, two of his sons, and several associates before the State High Court over an alleged N4.49 billion misappropriation of Funds.
The suit, filed on October 13, 2025, seeks to recover the state’s 20% equity in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and reclaim public funds amounting to N4,492,387,013.76, which are said to have been misappropriated.
The defendants listed in the case include Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his sons Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar, former Special Adviser Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, ex-Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council Hassan Bello, legal practitioner Adamu Aliyu Sanda, and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.
They face ten counts, including criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly conspired to fraudulently transfer 80% of the dry port’s shares, including Kano State’s 20% equity, to private interests via a shell company called City Green Enterprise.
Prosecutors allege the transaction was designed to hide the true ownership of a project initially intended to strengthen Kano’s economic infrastructure.
“The defendants deliberately hijacked a federal initiative and used proxies and fake entities to conceal the diversion of public assets meant for the people of Kano State,” the prosecution stated.
The prosecution further claims that more than N4.49 billion in public funds was misappropriated under the pretext of infrastructure development at the dry port, including the construction of a dual carriageway, electricity, and fencing.
The projects were reportedly financed with state resources but structured to benefit private firms linked to the accused.
Evidence presented so far indicates that the initial board of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited included a representative of Kano State, Abdullahi Haruna.
However, the alleged share transfer was executed solely by former Governor Ganduje, without the approval of other board members.
Court documents will reportedly include a policy document from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, confirming Kano State’s 20% stake in the port.
Additionally, the fourth defendant is said to have been responsible for verifying the state’s equity, a key point in the prosecution’s case. Other evidence expected are expected in court as the case proceeds.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
