The Kano State Government has dragged former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, two of his sons, and several associates before the State High Court over alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds amounting to ₦4.49 billion.
The suit, filed on October 13, 2025, seeks to recover the government’s 20 percent equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and to reclaim funds purportedly diverted under the guise of infrastructure development.
Other defendants named in the case include Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, a former Special Adviser to the governor; Hassan Bello, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council; Adamu Aliyu Sanda, a legal practitioner; and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited itself.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants face 10 counts bordering on criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds, and conflict of interest.
Prosecutors allege that Ganduje and his co-defendants conspired to fraudulently transfer 80 percent shares of Dala Inland Dry Port — including the state’s 20 percent holding — to private companies operating under the fictitious name City Green Enterprise to disguise the true ownership structure.
The charge further claims that the accused persons diverted over ₦4.49 billion of state funds into personal and family-run projects, including the construction of a dual carriageway, electricity supply, and fencing around the dry port.
The prosecution maintains that the defendants abused their offices by manipulating public assets for private enrichment, in violation of constitutional and financial laws.
It also alleged that several front companies and proxies were used to conceal ownership of the dry port shares, with state funds allegedly funneled through firms such as Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise) — which reportedly received ₦750 million.
Court documents show that the prosecution intends to call several witnesses, including the lead investigator who uncovered the alleged fraudulent transfers and an early project stakeholder who claimed he was sidelined during the equity reallocation process.
Evidence to be tendered will reportedly include a policy document from the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which recognized Kano State’s 20 percent shareholding in the Dala Inland Dry Port project.
The case has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Ubale of Kano State High Court 2, though a trial date has not yet been fixed.
