KANO, Nigeria – Abdullahi Ganduje, the former Governor of Kano State, has approached a High Court in Kano on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, to halt the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from conducting an investigation into his alleged misconduct.
The former governor is seeking an order to stop the EFCC from probing videos that show him allegedly receiving stacks of dollars from a contractor.
This sparked public outrage, prompting the Kano House of Assembly to establish a committee to look into the alleged bribery.
The committee’s report is yet to be submitted.
In his legal suit, filed by the Attorney General from his administration, Ganduje is also seeking the court to declare the interrogation of the former State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Chairman and ex-Accountant General regarding the video as illegal.
The suit is based on Sections 1 (1) of the 1999 constitution, asserting that the EFCC cannot proceed with its investigation while the state lawmakers are also probing the video clips under section 128 of the constitution.
Furthermore, Ganduje is arguing that a pending case (No: CV/1598/2021) between him, Jaafar Jafaar & Anor, before a FCT High Court, where he is disputing the video’s authenticity, should be resolved before the EFCC can exercise its investigative powers under sections 6, 7, and 13 of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004.
The controversial video was first published by Daily Nigerian in 2018, leading to threats of imprisonment for its publisher, Jaafar Jaafar, who subsequently fled to the United Kingdom with his family.
