By Our Correspondent
The Kano State Government has filed a high-profile suit at the State High Court, seeking to reclaim its 20% equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and recover allegedly misappropriated funds amounting to ₦4,492,387,013.76.
The defendants named in the charge sheet include Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, former Governor of Kano State; Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, former Special Adviser to the Governor; Hassan Bello, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council; Ganduje’s sons, Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar; legal practitioner Adamu Aliyu Sanda; and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.
The defendants face a ten-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.
According to the charge sheet, they allegedly conspired to fraudulently transfer 80% of Dala Inland Dry Port’s shares, including the state government’s 20% equity, to private entities under the fictitious name “City Green Enterprise.”
The prosecution alleges that the defendants diverted over ₦4.49 billion of Kano State funds to execute infrastructure projects, such as a double carriageway, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the dry port, for their personal and family benefit.
They are also accused of abuse of office and conflict of interest, allegedly using their official positions to manipulate public resources for private gain.
The prosecution has lined up several key witnesses to testify in court, including the lead investigating officer who uncovered the alleged fraudulent transactions and an early stakeholder in the project who will testify on how they were allegedly sidelined during the equity transfer process.
The prosecution’s summary of evidence alleges that the defendants used sham entities and proxies to hide ownership of Dala Inland Dry Port shares, diverted public funds to family-owned firms and personal businesses, coerced original project founders into relinquishing control, created false documents and misleading letters to deceive regulatory authorities, and orchestrated a chain of transactions to facilitate the diversion of ₦750 million in state funds.
The case is scheduled for November 17, 2025, at the Kano State High Court 2, presided over by Justice Yusuf Ubale.
