The Kano State Government has dragged former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his two sons, and five others before the Kano State High Court over an alleged ₦4.49 billion fraud involving the state’s equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.
According to court documents filed on October 13, 2025, the defendants are accused of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest, in a 10-count charge brought by the state government.
The charge sheet lists the defendants as Abdullahi Ganduje, Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro (former Special Adviser), Hassan Bello (former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council), Ganduje’s sons — Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar — as well as Adamu Aliyu Sanda, a legal practitioner, and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to fraudulently transfer 80 percent shares of the Dala Inland Dry Port — including the 20 percent equity stake belonging to the Kano State Government — to private entities under the fictitious name “City Green Enterprise.”
It was further alleged that over ₦4,492,387,013.76 in state funds were diverted for infrastructure projects such as road construction, electricity supply, and perimeter fencing at the dry port — all for personal and family benefit.
Investigators claim that the accused exploited their official positions to manipulate government resources and conceal the ownership of the company through sham entities and proxies, thereby violating financial and constitutional laws.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendants used false documents and misleading correspondence to deceive regulatory bodies, coerced original project founders into surrendering control, and channeled part of the diverted funds — including ₦750 million — through Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise).
A summary of evidence attached to the case reveals that witnesses will include the lead investigating officer who uncovered the alleged fraudulent transactions and an early stakeholder in the project who was reportedly sidelined during the controversial equity transfer.
The document also highlights that the prosecution intends to tender policy documents initiated during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, which recognized the Kano State Government’s 20 percent ownership in the Dala Inland Dry Port.
Although no specific date has been set for arraignment, the case has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Ubale of the Kano State High Court 2 for hearing.
This development marks a significant move by the Kano State Government to recover allegedly diverted public assets and funds amid growing calls for accountability in the state’s handling of major investment projects.