Buhari under increasing pressure to order anti-graft agencies to investigate Governor Ganduje

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is under increased pressure to act on the allegations that his key ally the Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje regularly receives bribes from contractors before offering them public contracts.

 

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, shows the governor receiving wads of dollars from a man said to be a contractor and stuffing them into his clothing.

 

So far, President Buhari has not reacted to the allegations but he is under increasing pressure to distance himself from Governor Ganduje if the government's anti-corruption stance is to be taken seriously. Yesterday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (Serap) wrote an open letter to President Buhari, urging him to direct the attorney-general of the federation to order anti-corruption agencies to investigate the allegations of bribery.

 

So far, Governor Ganduje has denied collecting any form of bribe from contractors and in his submission to the Kano State House of Assembly, he said the allegations are baseless. However, Serap said that President Buhari should investigate the matter if there is sufficient admissible evidence, Governor Ganduje should face prosecution at the expiration of his tenure.

 

Signed by Serap senior legal adviser, Bamisope Adeyanju, the letter read: “Given the history of corruption in Nigeria, especially unresolved allegations of grand corruption against many state governors, your government cannot and should not look the other way regarding the allegations against Mr Ganduje. Any allegations of bribery and abuse of power in any state of Nigeria is of concern to every Nigerian and should therefore, be of concern to your government.

 

“The obligations of your government to combat corruption in Nigeria extend to all the three tiers of government, namely, the federal government, state government and local government. Although primarily a matter of concern for Kano State, the allegations of bribery against Mr Ganduje have assumed such a proportion as to become a matter of concern to the federation as a whole, and therefore, to your government.

 

“Taking the recommended steps would help to enhance your government’s fight against corruption and contribute hugely to promoting the public interest, the interest of justice as well as prevent any abuse of the legal process. Any failure and/or refusal to act would undermine the goal of your government’s anti-corruption fight and tacitly serve to encourage persistent allegations of corruption among many state governors to continue with almost absolute impunity."

 

Serap said it is concerned that the growing allegations of corruption including bribery against many state governors have not been investigated and that several of them are getting away with their alleged crimes. It added that while a governor may enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution, he does not enjoy immunity from investigation.

 

Ms Adeyanju added: "Any criminal allegation against a sitting governor including Mr Ganduje can and should be investigated pending the time the governor leaves office and loses immunity. The findings of such investigation can also be the basis for initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor.”

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