The Kano State Government has filed a lawsuit against former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, two of his sons, and five others over alleged misappropriation of ₦4.49 billion in public funds.
The case, lodged at the Kano State High Court, accuses the former governor and his associates of illegally transferring the state’s 20 percent equity in the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited to private ownership.
According to court documents filed on October 13, 2025, the defendants include Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; his sons, Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar; former Special Adviser, Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro; ex-Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello; legal practitioner, Adamu Aliyu Sanda; and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.
The government is demanding the recovery of the diverted funds and a reversal of the alleged fraudulent transfer.
Prosecutors claim the defendants conspired to hijack the dry port project through a shell company known as City Green Enterprise.
The project, initially designed to boost Kano’s economy, was reportedly converted into a private business owned by the accused and their relatives.
According to investigators, over ₦4.49 billion was withdrawn under the pretext of constructing infrastructure at the dry port, including a double carriageway, fencing, and power supply.
“These projects were funded with state resources but tailored to benefit private interests,” a source close to the investigation said.
“This was a clear betrayal of public trust and a coordinated looting of public wealth.”
The charge sheet alleges that former Governor Ganduje acted without the consent of the dry port board when transferring the state’s equity share.
Investigators said key members, including government representative Abdullahi Haruna, were sidelined during the process.
“The prosecution will prove that the equity transfer was neither legal nor transparent,” prosecutors told the court. “A governor cannot unilaterally hand over state assets to private entities.”
The case also involves a ₦750 million transaction allegedly funneled through Safari Textile Ltd, one of several companies linked to the accused.
Documents believed to be falsified to mislead regulators will be presented during the trial.
A policy paper from the Olusegun Obasanjo administration confirming Kano State’s 20 percent stake in the project will also serve as evidence.
Justice Yusuf Ubale of High Court 2 has been assigned to handle the case.
Although no trial date has been fixed, prosecutors have listed key witnesses, including the lead investigator and an early stakeholder in the project.
A senior official in the Kano State Ministry of Justice said the lawsuit reflects the government’s commitment to accountability.
“This is about protecting public resources, not personal vendettas,” the official said.
Efforts to reach Ganduje or his legal representatives for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
