The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has summoned ex-Governor Abdullahi for questioning over the controversial dollar videos.
In 2017, Daily Nigerian, an online publication, had released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors.
The ex-governor had denied the allegation, saying the videos were doctored.
But speaking Wednesday at a one-day public dialogue on ‘Anti-Corruption Crusade in Kano’, Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, chairman of PCACC, said the videos had been authenticated.
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He said the videos were subjected to forensic analysis which indicated that they were authentic.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Lunchtime Politics on Thursday, Rimingado revealed that the commission had written and dispatched an invitation letter to the former governor to appear before the commission so as to provide necessary information in the ongoing investigation.
Magaji said the agency’s belief in the legal maxim of “innocent until proven guilty” will apply to the ex-governor as it does to all and that it believes the investigation will give the ex-governor the opportunity to finally get to clear his name in the controversy.
“I have signed a letter to invite him for questioning at the commission next week because this is what the law says and we will provide ample opportunity for him to defend himself,” he said.
Meanwhile a group, Coalition for Northern Civil Society Group has condemned the PCACC recent moves to investigate the dollar videos, alleging that the move was orchestrated together with the Kano state government to bring the ex-governor to disrepute and spoil any chance of the ex-governor in securing any appointment with the President Bola Tinubu led federal government.
The secretary of the group, Mohammad Lawal Shuaibu, who also appeared on the Channels TV programme, said that it was unfortunate that since the video emerged in 2018, the emphasis has been on only the alleged “receiver” while the “giver” of the alleged bribery has not been brought to the limelight.
Muhammad Garba, Ganduje’s ally who was twice appointed information commissioner when the former governor held sway, had told BBC Hausa that Ganduje was not worried about the probe.
“The matter is currently being handled by the court, and being a lawyer himself, Muhuyi is well aware of the appropriate actions to take. We are closely observing the situation to see how it unfolds. As a lawyer, Muhuyi is best equipped to determine whether he has the legal authority to investigate the matter that is before the court. I had spoken to Governor Ganduje, he remains unconcerned by the situation. This is strictly a legal matter,” Garba had said.
