A coalition of 51 anti-corruption organizations has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging the immediate arrest and prosecution of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the former governor of Kano State and current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The petition, submitted on November 4, 2024, highlights multiple allegations of bribery, corruption, and financial misconduct dating back to his time in office from 2015 to 2023.

The petition, which was acknowledged by the EFCC on November 7, outlines serious claims against Ganduje, including a recent fraud charge filed by the Kano State government. The accusations cover a range of illegal activities, such as cronyism, nepotism, and the misappropriation of public funds. Specific charges include orchestrating a scheme of financial mismanagement between 2020 and 2023, as well as involvement in criminal conspiracy and breaches of trust.

With 143 witnesses, including local government cashiers, former bank employees, and foreign currency exchange operators, expected to testify, the case against Ganduje appears to be mounting. These testimonies could provide crucial evidence in the investigation into his alleged actions during his governorship.

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Dr. Johnson Nebechi, convener of the National Anti-Corruption Alliance (NACA), and Comrade Umar Ideresu, spokesperson for the group, co-signed the petition. They stressed that these serious allegations demand immediate and decisive action from the EFCC to ensure accountability. The petition also references past incidents, including a controversial 2018 video that purportedly showed Ganduje accepting bribes from contractors, further deepening public concern over his integrity.

In 2023, Ganduje was invited by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) for questioning but did not respond. Additionally, a Kano State High Court has set April 17, 2024, for his arraignment on charges involving the alleged misappropriation of N1.38 billion.

NACA’s petition calls for the EFCC to swiftly investigate the alleged diversion of public funds, arrest Ganduje, and ensure the recovery of any misappropriated money. The coalition urges the EFCC to act with the utmost urgency, reinforcing its mandate to fight corruption and uphold transparency for the benefit of the Nigerian public.