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Alleged N2.8bn Fraud: Kano Govt Files Charges Against Former Commissioner, Six Others

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2 years ago

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Kano state government has filed seven count charges before a state high court against former Kano State commissioner for local government, Murtala Sule Garo, Mohd Sule Garo, Mustapha Sule Garo, Isah Musa Kera, MJ Multipurpose Services Ltd, A.U Future Investment Ltd and Shoreditch General Resources Ltd bothering on alleged diversion of N2.8bn.

The charges were filed by the Attorney General of Kano State, with the power conferred upon him by section 211 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 (as amended) and Section 121(1), 126(b) and 377 of the administration of criminal justice Law, 2019 through his Counsel, Auwal Abdulqadri Sani ESQ.

In the charge sheet, the state government accused the first defendant and others of allegedly diverting local government stabilisation funds and one percent training fund from April 2020 to May 2023.

It reads, FIRST HEAD OF CHARGE, ‘’That you, MURTALA SULE GARO male, adult together with MOHD SULE GARO and MUSTAPHA SULE GARO males, adults, your biological brothers, between the periods of April, 2020 to May 2023, in Kano or thereabout, in the Kano Judicial Division in your capacity as a public servant, to wit, the Commissioner of the Ministry for Local Government, in the service of Kano State government and being charged with the receipt, custody and disbursement of the stabilization funds belonging to the 44 local government areas of Kano State being funds received by the State Ministry for local government for and on behalf of the 44 localgovernments areas of the state credited to Kano State Local Government Stabilization account domicile at Unity Bank PLC Sani Abacha way Branch, Kano with account No.0041134229 amounted to Twenty Six Billion Nine hundred and Seven Million Two Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand Fifty Five Naira Ninety Four Kobo [N26,907,272,055.94] fraudulently and dishonestly without reasonable justification in abuse of your office conspired with 2nd and 3rd Defendants [your brothers] and diverted the total sum of One Billion Three Hundred and Eighty Nine Million Nine Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Nine Naira (N1,389,924,999) through the corporate account of MJ MULTIPURPOSE SERVICES LTD [5th Defendant] domicile at Guarantee Trust Bank PLC with account No.0142582063 the monies which you converted for your own personal and private use thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and wrongful loss to the Government and People of Kano State and thereby committed an offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to Section 96 andand punishable under Section 97 of The Penal Code [as amended], CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria.

That you, MURTALA SULE GARO male, adult together with MOHD SULE GARO and MUSTAPHA SULE GARO males, adults, your biological brothers, between the periods of April, 2020 to May 2023 or thereabout, in Kano, in the Kano Judicial Division in your capacity as a public servant, to wit, the Commissioner of the Ministry for Local Government, in the service of Kano State government and being charged with the receipt, custody and disbursement of the stabilization funds belonging to the 44 local government areas of Kano State being funds received by the State Ministry for local government for and on behalf of the 44 localgovernments areas of the state credited to Kano State Local Government Stabilization account domicile at Unity Bank PLC Sani Abacha way Branch, Kano with account No.0041134229 amounted to Twenty Six Billion Nine hundred and Seven Million Two Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand Fifty Five Naira Ninety Four Kobo [N26,907,272,055.94] fraudulently and dishonestly without reasonable justification in abuse of your office conspired with 2nd and 3rd defendants [your brothers] and diverted the total sum of One Billion Three Hundred and Eighty Nine Million Nine Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Nine Naira [N1,389,924,999] through the corporate account of MJ MULTIPURPOSE SERVICES LTD [5th Defendant] domicile at GTBank No.0142582063 the monies which you later converted for your own use in acquiring movable and immovable properties including a choice apartment at Hilton Suites in MakkahSaudi Arabia, thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and wrongful loss to the Government and People of Kano State and thereby committed an offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 315 of The Code [as amended], CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.”

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The charge sheet read that “between the periods of April, 2020 to May 2023 or thereabout, in Kano, in the Kano Judicial Division in your capacity as a public servant, to wit, the Commissioner of the Ministry for Local Government, in the service of Kano State government and being charged with the receipt, custody and disbursement of the stabilization funds belonging to the 44 local government areas of Kano State being funds received by the State Ministry for local government for and on behalf of the 44 local governments areas of the state credited toKano State Local Government Stabilization account domicile at Unity Bank PLC Sani Abacha way Branch, Kano No.0041134229 amounted to Twenty Six Billion Nine hundred and Seven Million Two Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand Fifty Five Naira Ninety Four Kobo [N26,907,272,055.94] fraudulently and dishonestly without reasonable justification in abuse of your office, diverted the total sum of Four Hundred and Twenty Seven Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand Five Hundred Naira [427,752,500] through the corporate account of a company you caused to be formed SHOREDITCH GENERAL RESOURCES LTD [7th Defendant] domicile at FCMB with account No.6501553017 the monies part of which was channeled through the 5th Defendant company account that you later converted in connivance with the 2nd and 3rd defendants [your brothers] to your own personal and private use thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and wrongful loss to the Government People of Kano State and thereby committed an offence of Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section 315 of The Penal as amended), CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.

That you, MURTALA SULE GARO male, adult together with ISAH MUSA KERA male, adult, one time director recruitment and training of the Ministry for local government, between the periods of June, 2017 to January, 2023 or thereabout, in Kano, in the Kano Judicial Division in your capacity as a public servant, to wit, the Commissioner of the Ministry for Local Government, in the service of Kano State government and being charged with the rec noeipt, custody and management of 1% training funds being control by the Ministry for local government for the benefit of the 44 local government areas of Kano State, received by the State Ministry for local government for and on behalf of the 44 local governments areas of the state credited to Kano State Ministry for Local Government account domicile at Unity Bank PLC Bello Road Branch, Kano with account No.0005165708 amounted to Three Billion
Eight Hundred and Twenty Six Million Six Hundred and Eight Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Naira Eighty Nine Kobo [N3,826,608,770.89] fraudulently and dishonestly without reasonable justification in abuse of your office conspired with the 4th defendant ISAH MUSA KERA [your Subordinate Staff] and diverted the total sum of Three Hundred and One Million Twenty Six Thousand Eight Hundred Naira [N301,026,800]  the monies which you conspire and withdrawn in cash in violation ofof extent laws, rules and regulation and vanished for your own personal and private use thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and wrongful loss to the Government and People of Kano State and thereby committed an offence of Criminal Conspiracy contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of The Penal Code [as amended], CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria.

That you, MURTALA SULE GARO male, adult, between the periods of April, 2020 to May 2023, in Kano or thereabout, in the Kano Judicial Division in your capacity as a public servant, to wit, the Commissioner of the Ministry for Local Government, in the service of Kano State government and being charged with the receipt, custody and disbursement of the stabilization funds belonging to the 44 local government areas of Kano State being funds received by the State Ministry for local government for and on behalf of the 44 local governments areas of the state credited to Kano State Local Government Sterilization account domicile at Unity Bank PLC Sani Abacha way Branch, Kano with account No.0041134229 amounted to Twenty Six Billion Nine hundred and Seven Million Two Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand Fifty Five Naira Ninety Four Kobo (N26,907,272,055.94) fraudulently and dishonestly without reasonable justification in abuse of your office diverted the total sum of Hundred and Eighty Nine Million Nine Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Ninety Nine Naira (N690,063,500) through the corporate accountof a company solely owned and controlled by your brothers, A.U FUTURE INVESTMENT LTD (6 Defendant domicile at Zenith Bank PLC with Account No.1017680843 the monies that was lat channels to your company MJ MULTIPURPOSE SERVICES LTD (5th Defendant and which you converted for your own personal and private use thereby causing wrongful gain to yourself and wrongful loss to the Government and People of Kano State and thereby committed an offense using wrongful gain to yourself and wrongful loss to the Government and People of Kano State and
and thereby committed the offense Criminal Breach of Trust contrary to section 311 and punishable under section of The Penal Code (as amended), CAP. 105, Vol. 2. The Laws of the Kano State of Nigeria, 1991.”

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President Tinubu Names New Petroleum Institute After Late Gen Shehu Musa Yar’adua

Published

11 hours ago

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June 12, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new university in Kaduna State and named it after Late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, to the honour the former Chief of  Staff Supreme Headquarters (equivalent to Vice President)as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 2026 Democracy Day celebration on June 12.

The President announced the decision on Friday during his Democracy Day nationwide broadcast that the Federal Government had approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

Tinubu said the decision was taken in recognition of Yar’Adua’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development and his vision of national unity and partnership.

The late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, an older brother of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was one of the political gladiators in the aborted Third Republic and advocate of June 12, 1993 presidential election actualisation.

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“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership,” the President said.

“In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology,” Tinubu declared.

The President paid tribute to other prominent figures, living and dead, who played significant roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy.

He described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history and remembered several heroes of the democratic movement, including late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, whom he said helped lay the foundation for the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.

Tinubu noted that the country owed a debt of gratitude to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and even death in the fight for democratic governance.

He also announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, lawyers, politicians and military officers who, according to him, suffered persecution and incarceration during the struggle to restore democratic rule in Nigeria.

Among those recognised were Arthur Nwankwo, Mrs Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Ishola Williams and several military officers who participated in the June 12 democratic struggle.

Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, the President said the country has enjoyed 27 uninterrupted years of civilian rule since 1999, describing it as the longest stretch of democratic governance in the nation’s history.

He urged Nigerians to remain united and committed to strengthening democratic institutions, stressing that the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes must not be in vain.

“The generation of our founding fathers secured independence the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” Tinubu said.

The President expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying democracy must translate into improved living standards, economic opportunities and security for all citizens.

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We Could Only Watch Helplessly’ — Kano Traders Recount Horror of Market Inferno

Published

17 hours ago

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June 12, 2026

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A fire incident has destroyed a popular home appliances and office furniture market located along Murtala Mohammed Way in Kano, leaving traders counting losses running into millions of naira.

It was gathered that the fire broke out at about 10:00 p.m. on Thursday and rapidly spread across the market, engulfing shops and their contents before firefighters could bring the situation under control.

Eyewitnesses said the fire consumed a large section of the market, reducing valuable goods and property to ashes.

One of the affected traders, who spoke to newsmen, described the incident as a major disaster for business owners operating in the market.

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According to him, the fire completely gutted several shops, destroying goods worth millions of naira.

“The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. We could only watch helplessly as officials of the Kano State Fire Service battled to contain the inferno,” the trader said.

He further disclosed that the fire extended to a nearby building occupied by the international courier company, DHL, where part of the roof was damaged by the flames.

The affected market, located between the DHL office and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) along Murtala Mohammed Way, is widely known for the sale of household and office furnishing items, including furniture, carpets, air conditioners, refrigerators, mattresses, televisions and other interior decoration materials.

As of the time of filing this report, the exact cause of the fire had not been officially established, while authorities were yet to provide an estimate of the total value of property destroyed.

Traders affected by the incident have appealed to the government and relevant authorities for support as they begin to assess the extent of their losses and rebuild their businesses.

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Northern Youths Hail National Assembly’s Approval of State Police, Describe Move as Landmark Security Reform

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18 hours ago

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June 12, 2026

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The Northern Youth Assembly (NYA) has commended the National Assembly for its approval of the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police across Nigeria, describing the development as a landmark step toward addressing the country’s persistent security challenges.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Abdulhafiz Garba, the group said the overwhelming support for the bill by federal lawmakers reflects a growing national consensus on the need to strengthen security through a more decentralized and community-focused policing system.

According to the assembly, the endorsement of the bill by 289 legislators, with only four voting against it, demonstrates the urgency attached to security reforms and the recognition that local communities must play a more active role in maintaining peace and order.

The group noted that insecurity has remained one of the most pressing concerns across Northern Nigeria, where communities have grappled with banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling, and communal conflicts. These challenges, it said, have disrupted economic activities, displaced families, and undermined social stability across the region.

The NYA argued that while officers of the Nigeria Police Force have continued to make sacrifices in the line of duty, the existing centralized policing structure has struggled to adequately respond to the country’s complex and evolving security threats due to Nigeria’s vast population and geographical size.

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It maintained that the creation of State Police would provide an additional layer of security by enabling state governments to establish law enforcement agencies capable of responding swiftly to local challenges while complementing federal security institutions.

The assembly highlighted intelligence gathering as one of the major advantages of the proposed reform. It explained that security personnel recruited from local communities would possess deeper knowledge of the language, culture, terrain, and social environment of their states, making it easier to detect criminal activities and prevent threats before they escalate.

The group further stated that decentralized policing would improve emergency response times, as state-controlled police formations would be able to act promptly without waiting for instructions from distant command structures.

Beyond security, the Northern Youth Assembly said the reform could create significant employment opportunities for young people. It noted that recruitment into state police services would provide jobs for thousands of youths while helping to reduce unemployment and strengthen community engagement.

According to the organization, improved security would also encourage investment, boost agricultural production, revive local economies, and facilitate safer movement of goods and people across Northern Nigeria.

The group pointed to several countries operating successful decentralized policing systems, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany. It argued that these examples demonstrate that state-based policing structures can coexist with federal law enforcement agencies without undermining national unity.

Rather than weakening the federation, the assembly said decentralized policing has proven effective in enhancing accountability, improving public safety, and ensuring more responsive governance in many democratic nations.

Describing the passage of the bill as a historic moment, the NYA said the reform offers renewed hope for communities affected by insecurity and represents a significant step toward building a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.

The organization pledged its continued support for policies aimed at promoting peace, security, youth empowerment, economic development, and national unity, while urging relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed State Police framework once it becomes law.

 

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