The Federal High Court in Kano on Tuesday ruled that the Kano Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission lacks the power to investigate the immediate past Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje over the alleged $5 million bribery video.
The presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi Liman while delivering his judgement said the offence is a federal offence that can be prosecuted by the Attorney General of Federation and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
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Justice Liman however said the Kano anti-graft agency has a limitation to investigate the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
According to the judge, “The offence is a federal offence and ought to have been reported before the Attoney General of the Federation and Economic Finance Crime Commission.
“The scope of the anti-corruption is limited to specific power to investigate Federal offences,” Justice Liman said.
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Speaking with newsmen shortly after the judgment, the counsel to the anti-graft agency, Bar. Usman Umar Fari said they would appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Recall that Ganduje, through his counsel, Matthew Burkaa SAN, had filed a motion of exparte on 7th July, 2023, on fundamental rights enforcement procedure rules 2009 under section 46 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The applicant is seeking the court to restrain PCACC from arresting, investigating and inviting Ganduje over the alleged dollar video.
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The respondents in the case were Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, Nigeria Police, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Kano State, State Security Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Others are, Attorney General of the Federation and Attorney General of Kano State.
