The Kano State government has filed a suit at the State High Court seeking to reclaim its 20 percent equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and recover over ₦4.49 billion allegedly misappropriated from state funds.
The defendants named in the case include former governor Abdullahi Ganduje; his former Special Adviser, Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro; former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello; Ganduje’s sons, Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar; legal practitioner Adamu Aliyu Sanda; and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited itself.
Filed on October 13, 2025, the suit features a 10-count charge that alleges criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired to fraudulently transfer 80 percent of the dry port shares—including the state government’s 20 percent equity—to private entities under the fictitious name “City Green Enterprise” to conceal true ownership.
The prosecution further alleged that over ₦4.49 billion of Kano State funds were diverted to infrastructure projects at the dry port—such as a double carriageway, electricity installation, and perimeter fencing—for personal and family benefit.
Additional charges include abuse of office and conflict of interest, with the defendants accused of using their official positions to manipulate public resources for private gains in violation of financial and constitutional regulations.
Several key witnesses are expected to testify, including the lead investigating officer who uncovered the alleged fraudulent transactions and an early stakeholder in the project who claims he was sidelined during the equity transfer.
READ ALSO: Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Hands Kano’s Dry Port Shares to Children, Awards Billions to Family Firms
The prosecution’s evidence indicates that the defendants allegedly used sham entities and proxies to hide ownership of the dry port shares, diverted public funds to family-owned businesses, coerced original project founders into relinquishing control
While retaining only nominal shares, created false documents, and orchestrated complex transactions—including through Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise)—to divert ₦750 million in state funds.
The documents also show that the fourth defendant was tasked with researching Dala Inland Dry Port and acknowledging Kano State’s 20 percent shares in accordance with a policy initiated during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, which the prosecution intends to tender as evidence.
No date has yet been fixed for the trial, which has been assigned to Kano State High Court 2, presided over by Justice Yusuf Ubale.
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