Kano state government has dragged the immediate past Governor, Dr. Abdullah Umar Ganduje, ex- Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello and five others to court over alleged diversion of over N4b state funds allocated as equity at Dala Dry Land Port. In a criminal Suit No. KN/252/25, the state filed a 10-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest, challenging the integrity of the seven defendants.

Other defendants include Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar both sons of Ganduje; Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, former Special Adviser to the Governor; Adamu Aliyu Sanda; and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

The prosecution accused the defendants of criminal conspiracy and diversion of 20 per cent state equity in Dala Dry Land Port investment to the tune of ₦4,492,387,013.76 to private use.

In the charge sheet, obtained by The Guardian, the defendants allegedly conspired to fraudulently transfer 80 per cent shares of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the state government’s 20 per cent equity, to private entities under the fictitious name “City Green Enterprise” to conceal the true ownership of the company.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants diverted over ₦4.49b 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, the charge sheet read.

In addition, the defendants were accused of abuse of office and conflict of interest, with claims that they used their official positions to manipulate public resources for private gains, in violation of financial and constitutional regulations, the charge sheet further read.

The prosecution, in a summary of evidence also alleged that the defendants used sham entities as proxies to hide ownership of Dala Inland Dry Port shares, diverted public funds to family-owned firms and personal businesses. According to the charge, the fraudulent act ensued after it coerced the original project founders into relinquishing control, while allowing them to retain only nominal shares, created false documents and misleading letters to deceive regulatory authorities, orchestrated a chain of transactions, through Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise), to facilitate the diversion of ₦N750 million in state funds.

Meanwhile, the management of Dala Inland Dry Port (DIDP) has refuted the media reports linking ex-APC National Chairman Ganduje, to the ownership of the company.

In a statement issued recently by the Company Secretary, Adamu Aliyu Sanda, who is also one of the defendants, he described the reports as false and malicious. Sanda insisted a verified records from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and board resolutions confirm that no member of the Ganduje family has ever been a shareholder, director, or signatory of the firm. The case has been fixed for November 17, 2025 before Justice Yusuf Ubale of state High Court.