EFCC says it cannot probe Governor Ganduje because he still enjoys immunity from prosecution

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials have revealed that are powerless to probe Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje over allegations that he receives bribes from contractors because he still enjoys immunity from criminal proceedings.

Last month, the Kano State House of Assembly set up a seven-man ad hoc committee to investigate the authenticity of a video clip in which Governor Ganduje was seen receiving the bribe. Over the last month, the video, originally published by online media platform Daily Nigerian, showing the governor receiving wads of dollars from a man said to be a contractor and stuffing them into his clothing, has gone viral on social media.

In the short clip, the governor is seen receiving wads of dollars from a man said to be a contractor and stuffing them into his clothing in what critics say was a bribe to secure a government contract. Governor Ganduje has dismissed the video as fake and as a forgery but to get to the bottom of the matter, the Kano State House of Assembly decided to act and ascertain the truth.

Anti-graft bodies have been under pressure to probe the matter and have faced criticism for failing to act because Governor Ganduje is a key ally of President Muhammadu Buhari. However, the EFCC has said that its hands are tied because being in office, the governor still enjoys immunity from prosecution.

In a recent tweet posted from its Twitter handle during a meeting organised by public accountability think-tank Tap Initiative for Citizens Development, the EFCC said: “The governor is still serving and constitutionally is covered by immunity. Being that as it may, the matter is in the instance subjudice.”

When Tap Initiative demanded further explanation because the EFCC moved against Ayo Fayose while he was the governor of Ekiti State, the anti-graft agency said it does not usually give out information on investigations. The EFCC tweeted: “Investigation of anyone for an alleged fraud remains a covert process.”

Governor Ganduje has been the subject of several videos, which appeared to show him engaging in contract racketeering. At least six of such videos have been published since the first clip was released on October 11.