Alleged Bribery: Court Halts Kano Assembly’s Investigation On Ganduje

A Kano State High Court has ruled that the state house of assembly lacks the power to investigate or invite governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje over criminal allegations.

Justice Ahmed Badamasi gave the ruling on Thursday and made it known that the power to investigate criminal charges is vested in the police, Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He said according to constitution, the assembly only has the power to make law and review existing law but not the power to investigate criminal matters

The suit was filed by Muhammad Zubairu, national coordinator of Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria, a pro-democracy group.

Baffa Dangundi, chairman of the investigative panel of the house, and the attorney general of the state were joined as defendants in the suit.

However, Nuraini Jimoh, counsel to the plaintiff, applauded the ruling while Muhammad Waziri, the defendant’s lawyer, said he would consult his clients on their next line of action.

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Earlier, the state assembly had set up a seven-man committee to investigate the bribery allegation against Ganduje.

On November 5, the court had ordered the house to suspend the probe while ruling on an ex parte application by Zubair but the assembly vowed not to comply with the order.

Meanwhile, on November 13, the assembly eventually succumbed to the order, saying the house is a law-abiding arm of government, hence, it would obey the court and suspend all forms of investigation on the case pending the court judgement.

The governor has denied the allegation of receiving bribe from contractors, as seen in a video publish by Daily Nigerian, saying the video was doctored.