Kano vows to reopen case against Doguwa, recover alleged stolen assets

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has said all cases of political violence that resulted in loss of life and property in the last eight years would be investigated.

The new helmsman also insisted that the infamous case of alleged culpable homicide against Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, would be reopened and pursed to logical conclusion.

Doguwa was accused of sponsoring political violence against opposition party in Tudun Wada Local Council during the last National Assembly elections.

About 15 persons were killed during the incident.

The Abdullahi Umar Ganduje-led administration had recently cleared Doguwa of any incriminating evidence that should warrant a criminal charge.

In a statement by Chief Press Secretary, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the governor insisted a judicial commission of inquiry would be put in place to ensure perpetrators and sponsors of violence are brought to justice.

Yusuf expressed concern over the disappearance of Dadiyata, a loyalist of the Kwankwasiyya movement, who was abducted by unknown assailants in 2019. He vowed to work with security agencies for his rescue.

The governor also announced immediate takeover of all public properties allegedly sold illegally by Ganduje.

He said a panel of inquiry would be constituted to investigate and recover alleged looted public funds and property in the last eight years, in the interest of justice.

The governor lamented a near-empty treasury and humongous local and international debts inherited from the last administration.

He said: “We have noted that the last administration sold lands, in and around schools, religious and cultural sites, hospitals and clinics, graveyards and green areas, and along the city wall of Kano. We have also noted that they indiscriminately sold numerous other landed properties and assets belonging to Kano State, within and outside the state, to their cronies and agents.”

“I am announcing, today, that all these public places and assets that were immorally plundered and sold by the Ganduje administration should be taken over by law enforcement agencies, led by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defense, and Hisbah Corps, pending final decision of the government.

“And to guarantee that no public officers, their cronies or assignees are ever allowed to engage in looting of the commonwealth of Kano people, a judicial commission of inquiry will be empanelled in the coming days to ensure that all perpetrators and those that aided and abetted them are brought to justice.”

The new governor also announced immediate dissolution of all political appointees heading government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and companies.