Why We Can't investigate Governor Ganduje Bribe Video - Kano Anti-Corruption Agency

 

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on Wednesday gives reasons why the agency can not open probe on Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s bribe-taking videos released by DAILY NIGERIAN.

 

A top official of the agency who preferred not to be named told DAILY NIGERIAN that the agency was constrained to take action since Kano State House of Assembly had taken over the probe.

 

According to him, the law of the agency provides that once the state assembly takes over investigation or probe, the commission cannot continue with investigation or interfere with their duty.

“Remember what happened during Emir Sanusi’s probe. We stopped investigating the matter immediately after the state assembly took over the matter,” he said.

 

The Kano House of Assembly has opened probe on the bribe-taking videos of the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, published by DAILY NIGERIAN.

 

Raising a matter of urgent public importance on Monday, a member representing Warawa Constituency, Labaran Madari, said the assembly should investigate the authenticity of the video and take measures.

 

Mr Madari said the videos had brought the institution of governance in the state to disrepute, and therefore the need for the legislators to take urgent action.

 

The matter was seconded by Rabiu Panisau, a member representing Kumbotso constituency.

 

Responding, the speaker, Alhassan Rurum, constituted a seven-man committee to investigate the matter and report back to the assembly.

 

Members of the committee include Baffa Dan’Agundi (Kano Municipal) as chairman; Labaran Madari (Warawa) member; Garba Gafasa (Ajingi), member; and Zubairu Masu, (Sumaila) member.

 

Others are Ayuba Labaran (Kabo) member; Abubakar Galadima (Bebeji), member; Garba Yau Gwarmai (Kunchi/Tsanyawa), member and; Mujtafa Amin, secretary.

 

Inside sources told DAILY NIGERIAN that the assembly is planning to serve the governor impeachment notice as soon as the committee submits its report.

 

“This is a serious matter that should not be swept under the carpet. We did preliminary investigation and found out the videos are genuine. The committee is just mere formality,” said a member who preferred anonymity.

 

 

Mr Ganduje has appeared in a trove of video clips receiving bribe, amounting to about $5million from contractors in the state.

 

Multiple contractors who spoke with DAILY NIGERIAN on the condition of anonymity said the governor personally receives from 15 to 25 percent kickbacks for every project executed in the state.

 

The sting operation to capture the governor on camera began two years ago when one of the contractors agreed with DAILY NIGERIAN request to plant spy camera on his kaftan lapel while offering the bribe.

 

During about 10 months efforts to capture the bribe giving/taking scenes, the governor’s face and body were clearly captured in nine clips, while six others did not clearly reveal the governor’s face. About $5m dollars were delivered to the governor during the sting operation.

 

One of the contractors who preferred not to be named said the reason he collaborated with DAILY NIGERIAN was to expose corruption and bring sanity to the country.

 

-Culled from Daily Nigerian