Kano Emirate Council In Fresh N160m Alleged Land Scam

Kano Public Complaints And Anti Corruption Commission has launched a fresh investigation into the illegal sale of plots of land in the sum of N160M at ‘’Gandu Sarki’’ by some members of the Kano Emirate Council.

The commission in a letter dated January 27^th 2020 and addressed to the Secretary of the Kano Emirate Council, invited Sarkin Shanu, Shehu Muhammad, Internal Auditor, Ali Ben Musa and Dan Isan Lapai, Mustapha Yahaya Kawu for interrogation on Tuesday, January,28.

According to the letter cited by Solacebase, the land at Hotoro Arewa and Bubbugaje were sold to Messr Capital Properties Nig. Ltd and Ja’en B. Properties Ltd on alleged instruction of the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II at N160m, an act which contravenes section 26 of the commission’s enabling law 2008 (as amended).

It also accused them of receiving N13m as a kickback from the buyers during the negotiation for the sale.

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Speaking to Solacebase on the issue, the Commission Chairman, Muhuyi Magaji Rimigado confirmed the story, noting that those invited were at the commission on Tuesday.

‘’They made useful statement that is assisting the commission in the course of the investigation,’’ Rimigado said.

‘’You see, a complaint was made to the commission late November 2019 on alleged encroachment into the Reserved land,’’ Gandu Sarki’’.

‘’We then began an investigation into the matter,  only for use to discover that the sale took place between October and November 2019, where about 406 plots that were initially said to be for the construction of 228 Low-Cost Housing Estate were sold for N70m. while the others were sold at N90m.’’

He said the Commission then wrote the Kano Emirate Council for an explanation.

According to him others involved in the sales would be invited as the issue has further opened other alleged misappropriation with complaints forwarded to the Commission.

Solacebase recalled that the Commission had recommended in June 2019, the suspension of the Emir in a preliminary report of an investigation it conducted over alleged misappropriation of N3.4b belonging to the Emirate Council.

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According to the interim report, four cardinal issues were raised bordering on indictments, the amount involved, obstruction of investigation and recommendations.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is not rosy dating back close to the 2019 general elections where the Emir was alleged to have worked against the Governor re-election.

Although the Kano Emirate denied this severally and the creation of four new Emirates by the Ganduje administration after the election was seen by many as retaliation from the governor, which Ganduje said was aimed at rapidly developing the state.

When asked by our Correspondent if the fresh allegation is not due to the sour relation between the Emir and the Governor, Muhuyi Magaji Rimigado said that the alleged land scandal is sequel to a complaint received by the commission and in line with provision of Section 9 (1) and (3) of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended).

However, a source at the Commission told Solacebase that those involved in the land saga would be prosecuted immediately after investigation.

When contacted by Solacebase on Tuesday, the Chief of Staff to the Emir and Dan Buran Kano, Malam Munir Sanusi said he was not aware of the matter as he has not been briefed.