The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) announced on Wednesday that the videos purportedly showing ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje accepting bribes are authentic.
A forensic analysis, according to the agency’s chairman, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, validated the authenticity of the videos, which were first published by Daily Nigerian in 2017.
READ ALSO: Court remands Ganduje’s ex-commissioner over alleged N1bn fraud
Rimingado stated that their investigation began in 2018, but it was halted because Ganduje was still governor and thus had immunity.
He said, “Anybody that knows can tell that I am passionate about what I am doing which is fighting corruption. People are disturbing me and pressurizing me to probe the dollar video. We are on it already, part of which is; forensic analysis confirmed to us that the video is not doctored.”
Rimingado also highlighted the larger fight against corruption, revealing the recovery of property worth N200 million and an ongoing corruption case worth over N100 billion.
Academician, Dr Abdullahi Kani criticised the lack of investigation into corruption allegations as well as societal tolerance of the suspects.
According to a United Nations report, over N675 billion was offered as corruption in 2019, demonstrating the country’s failure to combat corruption.
Meanwhile, IG. Maryam, a member of the Civil Society Forum, has called for the Freedom of Information Act to be implemented in order to promote transparency and expose corruption.
The Good Governance and Advocacy Group (GGAG) warned against what they called the Kano government’s attempt to discredit Ganduje for political reasons in response to the PCACC investigation.
The coalition’s secretary, Muhammed Lawan Shuaibu, noted in a statement that the effort was intended to tarnish the former governor’s reputation and potential appointments.
It said the dialogue, which is being put in place by the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints ànd Anti Corruption Commission (PCACC), Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, is not open to other CSOs but hand picked participants from friends and associates of the commission’s Chairman.
The coalition described the action of Muhuyi and the state owned commission “as purely vindictive, malicious, malevolent and politically motivated.”
The statement stated that “Muhuyi must understand that he can’t preempt what is already in the courts. He must also be reminded, he risk the contempt of court.
“The entire shenanigans Muhuyi is organizing with some of the CSOs in Kano is politically motivated, as some members of these already compromised CSOs are also known and card carrying members of the NNPP in Kano.”
The release added that the renewed attacks by both Muhuyi and the commission are a well crafted ploy to rubbish Dr. Ganduje and pitch him against President Tinubu in order to undermine his chances of getting any position in his administration.
While calling on the public to ignore the activities of the Commission, the coalition said: “it is obvious, Muhuyi and his band of destructive agents are unhappy on the cordial relationship between the duo.”
