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Tag: Ganduje

  • Ganduje puzzles Kano with legal rigmaroles

    GOVERNOR Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has sued the publisher of the online newspaper, Daily Nigerian, for three billion naira for alleged defamation in publishing video clips of the governor allegedly receiving about five million dollars in bribes from contractors. First, the governor denied the story and claimed that the videos were doctored. Then the Kano State House of Assembly, after an initial and stupefying silence, waded into the matter that had easily become controversial, and slated an open hearing to which both the publisher, Jaafar Jaafar, and the governor were invited. Mr Jaafar honoured the invitation and substantiated his allegations. The governor declined the invitation, and instead a civil society proxy asked the courts to compel the legislature to suspend their investigative hearing. The lawmakers first hesitated, then they eventually and almost ecstatically obeyed the courts.

    The public were, however, puzzled. If the videos were doctored, surely the governor would take the opportunity of the legislative hearings to prove his innocence. But no. Instead, the governor decided to sue Mr Jaafar for the said whopping sum. Meanwhile, the anti-graft agencies kept a discrete distance, and together with President Muhammadu Buhari who also hemmed and hawed over the matter when asked during his last trip to Paris what he intended to do about it, may now seize the opportunity of the defamation suit to excuse any action altogether. The political and legal rigmaroles will know no end. It is distinctly Nigerian. Dr Ganduje is one of President Buhari’s most fanatical supporters. He has promised to deliver Kano to the president in the next election lock, stock, and barrel. Against such a man, it is apparent, there can be no law. Mr Jaafar will be mystified that he has become the hunted. Let him take heed, in Nigeria’s convoluted legal and moral landscape, not to become the haunted.

  • Alleged $5m bribe: Ganduje files N3b suit against online publisher

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has filed a N3 billion suit in a Kano State High Court against an online news platform, Daily Nigerian, and its publisher, Mr. Ja’afar Ja’afar, for “defamation of character, slander and libel”.

    This followed the publication and release of video clips purportedly showing the governor to be collecting a bribe from an unidentified person.

    According to a Writ of Summons, dated November 13, the defendants are expected to appear before the High Court 13, sitting in Kano, within 14 days.

    Through his lawyer Nuradeen Ajagi, the governor is praying the court to declare that “the act of publishing and circulating libellous statements, false and doctored video clips attacking and impugning the character and integrity of the plaintiff amounts to defamation of character of the character plaintiff by the defendants and thus wrongful”.

    The writ of summons also said: “Outright and unqualified imputation of theft, fraud, corruption and dishonesty, which are all criminal offences by the defendants’ publication against the plaintiff without any conviction by a court of laws, is slanderous, libellous, injurious and wrongful.

    “An order perpetually restraining the defendants, their agents and all persons and entities, to whom they shared their libellous documents/records, from further defaming the good standing and character of the plaintiff.

    “That the plaintiff is entitled to damages against the defendants for defamation of character by way of libel and slander.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from further publishing the said defamatory story and sharing the said doctored video clips, howsoever, to whichever type of audience.

    “An order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of N3,000,000,000 as damages for the defamation of the plaintiff’s character and standing.

    “An order compelling the defendants to write a public apology to the plaintiff and broadcast such apology through their online platforms and other news media with global accessibility.”

     

  • Ganduje presents N219.6b 2019 Appropriation Bill to Kano Assembly

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday presented N219,655,217,756 proposed 2019 Appropriation Bill of “Sustainable Development” to the House of Assembly.

    Infrastructure took the highest share of N38.31 billion.

    The 2019 proposed budget is lower than this year’s appropriation, which stood at N246,608,850,598.

    He said: “The 2019 budget is designed to attain the agenda of this administration to the overall objective of developing the state and improving the wellbeing of the people.

    “The objectives of the budget are efficient and effective public spending through public financial management process; to continue synergy and cooperation with the various stakeholders in the state.

    “The target of the budget is to ensure transparency and accountability and to continue with process of participatory budgeting.

    “With due consultations with relevant stakeholders within and outside the public service, we are proposing an aggregate budget of N219,655,217,756 for the Year 2019.

    “Out of this amount, N134,065,152,619 is dedicated to capital expenditure, while N85,590,65,167 is for recurrent expenditure.”

    Highlighting the policies and detailed budget allocations, Ganduje said: “The total projected recurrent revenue for the Year 2019 is estimated at N156,761,637,947, which consists of N45 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and N101,761,637,947 as revenue from federation account.

    “The total recurrent revenue is higher than that of the year 2018 by N11,801,941.73 representing 12 per cent.

    “The proposed capital expenditure for the 2019 fiscal year is N134,065,152,619, which is lower than that of 2018 by N29,117,285,476, as it is to be financed by N71,171,572,780 expected recurrent revenue surplus and total capital receipts of N62,893,579,839.

    “The capital receipt is made up of N28,017,500,000 as expected internal and external loans; N32,422,885,355 is estimated grants, while N1.925 billion is for miscellaneous receipts and a treasury opening balance of N530,194,484.

    “The focus of the 2019 budget will be on completing ongoing projects in health, education, rural roads, power, water and agriculture and other critical infrastructure.”

    The Ministry of Water Resources got the second highest allocation of N26.4 billion; Agriculture, N9.4 billion; Education, N18 billion; Environment, N3 billion; Health, N2.5 billion; Rural Development, N2 billion, Commerce and Industry, N1.6 billion; Security and Justice, N2.8 billion; Women and Social Development, N861 million; and General Administration, N7.8 billion.

    House of Assembly Speaker Kabiru Alhassan Rurum assured Ganduje that the Assembly would ensure smooth and speedy deliberations on the budget proposal.

  • Alleged Bribery: Court stops kano Assembly from investigating Ganduje

    A Kano High Court sitting in Kano has ordered the Kano state House of Assembly to stop the investigation of bribery allegation leveled against Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje by the publisher of an online news platform, Daily Nigeria, alleging that he collected $5 million bribe from contractors in video clips released by the online news platform.

    In Suit No. K/497/2018 instituted by Bar. Muhammad Zubair, National Coordinator of Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria against the Kano state House of Assembly, Hon. Baffa Babba Dab Agundi and other members of the seven-man Investigative Committee and Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Kano state, the presiding Judge, Justice A.T. Badamasi issued an Interim Injunction, restraining the Kano state House of Assembly Seven-man Investigative Committee from further investigation of the said bribery allegation.

    According to the Judge, “upon carefully run through the Ex-parte application dated 5th day of November, 2018 filed by Counsel for the plaintiff/applicant accompanied by a 23 paragraphs affidavit duly deposed to by Muhammad Zubair, a legal practitioner as well as the written address in support of Application thereto:

    “And after hearing Mr. Nuraini Jimoh Esq. (with him A.N.Ahmad Esq) Counsel for the applicant. The application is hereby granted in the following manner:

    “The Respondents should be served before the close of work today (5 November). Accelerated hearing is hereby ordered and the respondents are given four days to respond to this application after service.

    “Parties should maintain status quo ante pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice.”

    The Judge, however, adjourned the matter to Monday, 12 November, 2018 for hearing.

    Speaking to Reporters at the NUJ Press Centre, the plaintiff who is also the National Coordinator of Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria, Bar. Zubair said that, “we followed with keen interest the investigation being carried out by a seven-man Committee of the Kano state House of Assembly.

    “We followed the issue and analyzed the provision of the law; we came to the conclusion that the House of Assembly have no right or constitutional backing to investigate the said bribery allegation. We believe it is an illegal action.

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    “As a pro-democracy group, we served the Kano state House of Assembly a letter on the 24th of October and gave them 24 hours ultimatum to stop the investigation, but the House leadership did not reply our letter. They did not invite us to hear from us. The House has a legal department which ought to have looked at our letter, rather they ignored us.

    “Having followed what has happened, we felt that the Kano state House of Assembly did not heed to our advice. So, we decided to go to Court where we believe we can get justice. Already, we have served the three parties involved in the case; and the Court has ordered them to maintain the status quo ante pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice.”

  • Kano Assembly invites Ganduje over video clips

    The investigative committee set up by the Kano State House of Assembly to probe the authenticity of video clips showing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje allegedly receiving bribe, has summoned the governor to appear before it today.

    The Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, published the controversial video clip.

    The Secretary of the seven-man ad hoc Committee, Mr Mujtafah Adamu, stated this yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano, the state capital.

    He said the committee invited the governor via a letter on October 31.

    “The letter, which was signed by the chairman of the committee, Alhaji Baffa Danagundi, and issued to the governor, is requesting his appearance and to hear the matter from his own perspective,” Adamu said.

    A copy of the letter, according to Adamu, is asking the governor for his statement as part of the proceedings on or before the day of the hearing.

    The letter reads: “You may wish to appear together with your lawyers for the hearing. Enclosed is the copy of the video clips for your perusal.”

    NAN recalled that the publisher of Daily Nigerian, an online newspaper, Jafar Jafar, who, on October 25, appeared before the committee, insisted that the published video clips were genuine and not a doctored document.

    During the public hearing, the publisher admitted his failure to contact government officials on the genuineness or otherwise of the video clips before releasing them in the media.

    Jafar added that he received the clips from a top government official, whose identity he refused to disclose.

     

     

  • ‘Ganduje empowered 200,000 youths in three years’

    •Governor disburses N88m to petty traders

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje yesterday said his administration empowered over 200,000 youths and women since he assumed office three and a half yeara ago.

    The governor disbursed over N88 million to 4,900 petty traders and agro-business owners to boost their businesses.

    Ganduje spoke at an empowerment programme for 4,400 petty traders and the launching of agro-business for 500 small and medium enterprises investment scheme in the 44 local government areas.

    The event was organised by the state government in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    Each of the beneficiaries got N20,000 to start their businesses.

    The governor said the state government would continue with its human development programmes for the overall development of the state.

    He said: “We gathered here today to witness another key programme of youth empowerment, employment generation and wealth creation. This includes the empowerment of 4,400 petty traders and the kick-off of the Federal Government scheme for 45,000 beneficiaries of agro-businesses, small and medium enterprises investment scheme of which we are beginning today with the first phase having 5,000 participants.

    “As you are aware, from the inception of this administration to date, we have engaged ourselves in multi-facetted actions in order to arrest and reverse the unacceptable and reprehensible chronic youth unemployment in Kano. We, therefore, came up with an array of programmes aimed at tackling the problems of unemployment.”

    Ganduje added: “The relentless efforts of our administration towards such endeavours have resulted in taking over 50,000 youths from the hopelessness and uncertainty of the unemployment market through various initiatives we have introduced.”

    The governor said his administration had also engaged in training youths on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), automobile mechanics, implementation of various skills acquisition and empowerment programmes for over 5,000 small business operators and unemployed youth across the state.

    He said the state government was partnering government agencies and non-governmental bodies for youth and women empowerment.

    Ganduje said: “The government of Kano State has also been in partnership with the Federal Government agencies, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Industry (BoI), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), as well as international donor agencies to empower thousands of youths on various skills acquisition programmes.”

     

  • Ganduje’s alleged bribery video clip not doctored- Publisher

    Publisher of the Daily Nigerian Online, Mr. Jafar Jafar, has insisted on the authenticity of the video clips of the $5 million bribery allegation against Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State.

    He spoke on Thursday when he appeared before the State House of Assembly Investigative Committee on the issue.

    Jafar maintained that the video clips he released on his online news platform were not doctored, adding that he received the video clips on September this year, but had viewed them more than a year, before releasing them on October 14, this year.

    He however admitted that he did not contact officials of the state government before releasing the controversial video clip which he said he got from a whistle blower.

    Jafar was answering questions from Kano state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Muktar who crossed examined him.

    Insisting on the authenticity of the video clips, Jafar said “we invited the officials of the Amnesty International who certified the video.”

    When asked of the identity of the whistle blower, Jafar categorically said, “in the spirit of universal principles of confidentiality, we cannot disclose our source.”  

    However, Chairman of the seven-man Investigative Panel, Babba Dan Agundi who said Jafar would be invited for further questioning insisted that the Committee would want to have talks with the said whistle blower who identity would not be made public.

    Dan Agundi added that, “we will invite Jafar and his lawyers again; we will give the Governor’s side the right to analyse the video.

    “We shall also bring an independent experts not known to Jafar and the Governor to also analyse the video. We will invite all the parties and our own independent experts to look at this issue. We are here to ensure that justice is done to everybody involved in this issue.”

    Jafar, however, said he will have to consult with his solicitors to ensure if providing the whistle blower before the Committee is within the ambits of the law.

    The Publisher who was accompanied by two lawyers, Bar. Isaac Ambode and Bar. Adam Bashir also tendered a written statement and four Compact Discs where the video clips were downloaded before the Committee.

     

    When asked by the Chairman of the panel on the source of his information, Jafar said, “a whistle blower, someone I know, gave me the video clips.”

    “He told me Governor Ganduje is in the habit of collecting bribes from 15 to 30 per cent from contractors executing various projects in the state.

    “I told the whistle blower that we need evidence before we publish the story; and that we have to follow the rigours of the profession.

    “He captured 15 clips, nine of them showed the Governor’s face, six did not show the Governor’s face. We initially released one which did not have the conversation, and later we released the second one.”

    Jafar who arrived 1:13 minutes behind schedule was escorted to the House of Assembly complex by a team of armed police men.

    Jafar and his lawyers, however, confessed to the Committee that they were impressed over the level of security arrangements put in place for their safety.

    Meanwhile, A.A. Umar and Co, a law firm who initially agreed to offer legal services to Jafar Jafar, publisher and the Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Nigerian, withdrew their services in a letter sent to the Committee, citing “personal reasons.”

    Pro-Ganduje supporters were sighted outside the panel venue carrying placards reading, “Jafar Jafar is a serial liar,” “four plus four equals to eight, we must vote for Ganduje in 2019.”

  • Kano partners UNICEF to tackle malnutrition

    Kano state government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spent N350 Million last year, as intervention against malnutrition amongst children under five years, which UNICEF provided the same amount as marching fund.

    Another sum of N338 Million is also injected this year to counter the disturbing scourge of malnutrition in the state, of which UNICEF promises to also provide another marching fund for the same purpose.

    Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje stated this during an official launching of Kano State Comprehensive Modelling Project on Improvement of Diatery Diversity in the State .

    “We have all the kinds of food we need in our society for our consumption. All we need to do to run away from this health problem, is the knowledge of how to use such varieties. Which necessitates for awareness creation among our people,” he charged.

    A statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Abba Anwar said Ganduje urged stakeholders to put all hands on the deck to save the situation, emphasizing that, “Government is doing its best to continue liaising with all stakeholders, particularly traditional leaders, development partners and others, so as to checkmate the problem once and for all.”

    The governor acknowledges that, “This problem is with us, it is within us, it is a problem that we can solve and we must solve it. That is why we need to put heads and hands together and fight the painful scourge of malnutrition. All we need is commitment, persistence, public enlightenment and diligence.”

    Dangote Foundation according to the governor promised to provide over N1 Billion as intervention along that area of curbing malnutrition in the state.

    In her remarks the UNICEF Zonal Officer, Katsina, Miss Zohra Nissi, said the choice of Kano for the project was deliberate, looking at the efforts the state is making these years in curbing the disease.

    She added “This is a unique project which we are starting in Kano. As such the choice of Kano is deliberate. We choose Kano also because of the commitment of the state.”

    Nissi revealed that, “We need multi-sectoral approach in dealing with this problem. The sum injected in this project is $750,000. We will provide all the necessary technical support for the project.”

    The project started with Bichi and Sumaila as pilot local governments, which included traditional leaders who come from the areas. It was revealed that they started with the two local governments after sometime all other local governments would be included.

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    Dr Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, the state commissioner of health said that, “Malnutrition is a serious health challenge in developing countries. According to recent study stunting is in the increase. Which calls for serious action against it.”

    He listed some efforts being put by the state government in curbing the problem. “That we did a special week programme recently, in which we included malnutrition screening. To tell you how serious we are in dealing with the problem.”

  • EFCC, ICPC urged to probe bribery allegation against Ganduje

    The  Kwankwasiyya Youth Wing has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to commence the probe of the Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, over video clips showing the Governor allegedly receiving $5 million bribe.

    Briefing newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kano on Sunday as part of activities to mark Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s 62nd birthday, the Chairman of the Movement, Alhaji Kabitu Getso Haruna, flanked by the PDP Guber candidate, Alhaji Abba Kabiru Yusuf and his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam and members of the Youth wing, stated that the allegations against such a high personality has dented the image of Kano State.

    ”As a youth wing of Kwankwasiyya Movement, we would like to condemn the recent allegation of bribery, involving Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State in a video clip, shared to the public by an Online Media, DAILY NIGERIAN.”

    According to Haruna ” the allegation of this high personality has seriously damaged Kano State, as an Islamic hub in West Africa, the substance of the video content is capable of destroying the hard earned image of the State, the fabric of our society and the nation in general.”

    “ We call on the EFCC AND ICPC to as a matter of urgency wade into the matter of the alleged video, through transparent investigation, if only for the sake of the mush touted anti-corruption stance of President Muhammadu Buhari;s administration.”

    Haruna, who took a swipe on the administration of Governor Ganduje, said :” In Kano, the lost glory of the state over the past three years must not go unnoticed, it is very worrisome to have witnessed Governor Ganduje putting a distraction in all peoples-oriented and programmes, initiated by the immediate past administration of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.”

    As a remedy to the alleged precarious situation in the state, the members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and  the Kano PDP said they are battle ready to wrest power from Governor Ganduje in 2019.

    ”As for 2019 general elections, the Kwankwasoyya Youth Wing urge Kano citizens and Nigerians in general to massively reject APC at all levels, due to its failed promises for the past three years and support the PDP, come 2019 elections, the Youth wing will back Atiku to emerge victorious the polls.”

  • Ticket: APC leaders adamant as Ganduje, Masari, Wammako intervene for Sani

    As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State holds Senate primaries today, there are indications that leaders of the party in the state were not keen to give return ticket to Senator Shehu Sani.

    It was learnt that Senator Aliyu Wammako, Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Aminu Masari (Katsina) intervened and pleaded for automatic ticket for Sani.

    Also, the three APC aspirants scrambling for the Kaduna Central Senatorial District with Sani declined to step down for him

    The aspirants are Ibrahim Usman(Sardauna Badarawa); Shamsu Shehu Giwa; Gen. Mohammed Sani Saleh; and Uba Sani, a Special Adviser to Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    The development has caused tension in Sani’s camp. He is one of the aggrieved sebators who declined defect from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A top source in APC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We have a big challenge in Kaduna State. Some of our governors and leaders have made a strong case for automatic re-election ticket for Comrade Shehu Sani but we have not succeeded.

    “With this development, Sani might have to slug it out with the remaining three aspirants.

    “Going by the tense situation in the state and with the control of party structure by governors, Senator Sani might not get the ticket.

    “We are still making last minute moves to work out a deal which will be acceptable to APC leaders in Kaduna State.”

    But a stalwart of APC in Kaduna State, who spoke with reporters anomymously in Abuja, said the party was not disposed to giving Sani a return ticket.

    The source said: “It will be suicidal for APC to give Senator Sani a second term ticket. If he sails through, it means that disloyalty to a party pays.

    “The problem all the interventions encountered is that Sani had gone too far in burning his bridges in Kaduna. A compendium of his comments since 2015 ridiculing President Muhammadu Buhari himself, the APC and Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been circulated to key leaders.

    “This document showed that Sani does not hold even the President in high esteem. So his recent good-boy posture is being dismissed as just the desperate actions of a man who wants to remain in the Senate.

    ”This is a man who printed posters without the APC logo and boasted that he would defect. He has not even tried to mend fences with the people he offended in Kaduna.

    “The party in Kaduna is said to be in no mood to reward disloyalty, after Sani had treated them with contempt for more than three years.

    “We expect him to grumble and moralize after he loses the primary. We will not be surprised if he even creates some drama.”