A recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Kano has halted the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) from investigating bribery allegations against Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The court cited jurisdictional boundaries, stating that such matters fall under federal jurisdiction.
Presiding over the case, the judge underscored that the bribery allegations against Abdullahi Ganduje fall within the purview of federal jurisdiction, making it beyond the scope of the state anti-graft agency, PCACC. The court emphasized that federal agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are better suited to handle cases of this nature.
In response to the ruling, Usman Fari, counsel for PCACC, announced his intentions to appeal the verdict, expressing dissatisfaction with the court’s decision. Conversely, Matthew Burkaa, legal representative for Ganduje, hailed the judgment as a correct interpretation of the law, commending the court’s stance.
The bribery allegations against Abdullahi Ganduje surfaced in 2018 when an online newspaper, The Daily Nigerian, released a video purportedly showing him receiving bundles of dollars from contractors, allegedly concealed within his traditional attire. The newspaper alleged that Ganduje solicited a $5 million bribe from the contractors captured in the video.
Following his tenure as Kano governor, PCACC extended an invitation to Ganduje for questioning in July 2023, prompting him to challenge the agency’s authority through a legal suit. In a preemptive move, Ganduje had also sought legal protection from a potential EFCC investigation by filing a separate suit in June 2023.
The ruling by the Federal High Court in Kano has halted PCACC’s investigation into bribery allegations against APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, citing jurisdictional limitations. The decision has sparked reactions from both sides, with PCACC expressing intent to appeal while Ganduje’s legal team applauds the court’s interpretation of the law. As legal battles unfold, the outcome will have significant implications for the handling of corruption cases at both state and federal levels.
