News

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

Published

4 months ago

July 16, 2024

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.”

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.”

News

Obasanjo Taunts President Tinubu, Labels Him “Baba-go-slow”

Published

4 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized President Bola Tinubu, labeling him as “Baba-go-slow” and asserting that Nigeria’s failing status under Tinubu’s reign is “confirmed and glaringly indicated and manifested for every honest person to see.” The remarks were made in a statement released by Obasanjo’s Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Saturday.

In his address titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria,” Obasanjo highlighted the detrimental effects of immorality and corruption on the nation. “The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, discord, division, disunity, depression, youth restiveness, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment,” he stated.

Obasanjo painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s current situation, attributing the nation’s woes to the leadership under President Tinubu. “Nigeria’s situation is bad. The more the immorality and corruption of a nation, the more the nation sinks into chaos, insecurity, conflict, discord, division, disunity, depression, youth restiveness, confusion, violence, and underdevelopment,” he said.

He further criticized Tinubu’s administration, stating, “That’s the situation mostly in Nigeria in the reign of Baba-go-slow and Emilokan. The failing state status of Nigeria is confirmed and glaringly indicated and manifested for every honest person to see through the consequences of the level of our pervasive corruption, mediocrity, immorality, misconduct, mismanagement, perversion, injustice, incompetence, and all other forms of iniquity.”

Despite his harsh critique, Obasanjo expressed a glimmer of hope for the future. “But yes, there is hope,” he concluded, suggesting that change is possible if the nation addresses its deep-rooted issues.

News

Outrage as KANSIEC Allegedly Violates Court Order in Kano LG Polls

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Counsel to Ali Musa Danmalki, the NNPP flagbearer in the last Kano LG polls in Kumbotso Local Government, Barrister Jazuli Mustapha has expressed outrage over alleged KANSIEC’s flagrant violation of court order.

Speaking to Journalists on Friday. regarding the development, Barrister Mustapha said despite
the Kano State High Court’s ruling that no one should be sworn in pending appeal challenging the court judgment, stressing that KANSIEC went ahead and swore in the Ghali the purported NNPP candidate just hours later.¹

He also said the court by its ruling on 14th of November ordered local government employees in Kumbotso LGA to continue to manage the LGA’s affairs until the appeal is resolved.

The Counsel noted that the situation raises serious concerns about the rule of law and integrity of the electoral process in Kano State.

He also said it is duty upon every person to protect the sanctity of the court.

Barrister Jazuli Mustapha hinted that his client, Ali Musa Danmalki through his counsel approached the Kano High Court No 4 presided over by Justice Usman Malam Na.abba, sought for declarative reliefs, after a wrongful substitution of his name, after nominated, screened, cleared and purchased the nomination form to contest for the position of Chairman in Kumbotso LGA during the exercise in Kano.

He also maintained Mr. Danmalki further prayed the court to affirmed that that he is the rightful candidate of NNPP and to declare that substituting his name with Abdullahi Ghali after being screened and purchased the nomination form is flagrant violation of electoral processes, seeking the court to declare him as rightful candidate during the Kumbotso LGA poll.

The Counsel maintained that the Presiding Judge Justice Na.abba after the hearing submissions of lawyers from both parties on 24th October, 2024 he delivered ruling the following day 25th October, 2024 and consequently answered all the prayers requested by the plaintiff and affirmed him as a rightful candidate to contest for the position of Chairman in Kumbotso LGA during the poll.

Dissatisfying with the ruling, Abdullahi Ghali and NNPP appealed against the judgment, claiming erred and miscarriage of justice in the lower court judgment.

According to Barrister Jazuli Mustapha Mr. Ghali filed a motion prayed the court to set aside its ruling, while NNPP filed a motion seeking the court to grant stay of execution.

In his ruling delivered on 14 Nov. consequently, Justice Naabba refused prayers to set aside earlier judgment defendants and affirmed plaintiff as the rightful candidate to contest in the Kumbotso Local Government under the platform of NNPP.

The lawyer further expressed his worry with the action of KANSIEC hours after court ruling.

He highlighted that he will consult his client for further action.

News

Kano to Declare State of Emergency on Wildlife Conservation

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

The Kano State Government is set to declare a state of emergency on wildlife conservation, following a landmark decision announced by the Special Adviser to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The announcement was made during a press briefing held in Kano, marking a significant move towards the preservation and protection of wildlife in the state.

“I have to first welcome you for accepting our invitation to this great meeting, which is the first of its kind in the history of Kano State,” the Special Adviser stated. “We are the first members of the office newly created by the executive governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf. Congratulations to all of us.”

He emphasized the gravity of the task at hand, stating, “My fear to Allah is that whoever is assigned to any task will be asked for all he did. I am seeking Allah’s guidance on this journey, specifically assigned as a special adviser to the executive governor on wildlife conservation. This responsibility is huge, and for success, there must be a need to strategize the process by identifying where we were, where we are now, and where we want to reach.”

The Special Adviser highlighted the necessity of refreshing the knowledge of responsibilities related to wildlife conservation, noting that the state had lost a significant number of wildlife due to urbanization, hunting, and lack of government consideration.

“In the 1960s and 1970s, researchers working in Africa recognized the necessity of including human activities in the discussion of wildlife conservation. Since the 1980s, the roles of communities in biodiversity conservation have been given serious consideration globally,” he explained. He called for adopting principles from advanced countries to transform wildlife conservation in Kano State.

The state government aims to make Kano a leading state in wildlife conservation activities in Nigeria. To achieve this goal, several objectives were outlined:

1. Create and preserve any forest remains under state government for wildlife conservation.
2. Recommend making Kano State Zoos the leading zoo in Nigeria.
3. Recommend creating a wildlife conservation board or agency.
4. Recommend creating or improving more zoos and the ones available in the state.
5. Recommend providing a zoo that will attract Kano State indigenes and tourists.
6. Recommend providing a zoo that meets international standards.
7. Recommend providing a zoo with maximum revenue sources for the state.
8. Recommend providing a zoo that accommodates a large number of activities beyond zoo contents.
9. Recommend providing more animals in the zoo and the wild.
10. Recommend introducing a zoo-free day in Kano State annually.

Additional recommendations included considering wildlife resources as public trust, eliminating game markets, and using technology and science to implement wildlife policies effectively.

The Special Adviser Abdullahi Halliru Sawaba also stressed the importance of the upcoming stakeholder meeting to create a master plan for the next eight years on wildlife conservation. “The master plan for the next eight years will be created based on the outcome of the meeting with stakeholders,” he stated.