Kano Govt Sues Ganduje, Sons, Others for ₦4.49bn Fraud in Dala Inland Dry Port Equity Scandal

By Umar Zubainatu Kambari

The Kano State Government has filed a high-profile lawsuit at the State High Court to reclaim its 20 percent equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and recover ₦4,492,387,013.76 in allegedly misappropriated funds.

Named in the charge sheet are former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his sons Umar Abdullahi and Muhammad Abdullahi, former Special Adviser to the Governor Abubakar Bawuro, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council Hassan Bello, legal practitioner Adamu Sanda, and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

They face a ten-count charge of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.

Court records show the case was filed on October 13, 2025. The prosecution alleges the defendants conspired to fraudulently transfer 80 percent of Dala Inland Dry Port shares, including the state’s 20 percent equity, to private entities under the fictitious name “City Green Enterprise” to conceal true ownership.

They are also accused of diverting over ₦4.49 billion in state funds for infrastructure projects like a double carriageway, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the dry port for personal and family benefit.

Further allegations include abuse of office and conflict of interest, with claims that the defendants used their positions to manipulate public resources for private gain, violating financial and constitutional regulations.

The prosecution will present evidence that the defendants used sham entities and proxies to hide ownership, diverted funds to family-owned firms, coerced original project founders into relinquishing control while retaining nominal shares, created false documents to deceive regulators, and orchestrated transactions through Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise) to divert ₦750 million in state funds.

Key witnesses include the lead investigating officer who uncovered the alleged fraud and an early stakeholder sidelined during the equity transfer.

The prosecution will also show that the fourth defendant acknowledged the state’s 20 percent shares, as outlined in a policy document from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, to be tendered at trial.

Evidence will demonstrate that the original board, including Abdullahi Haruna representing the state’s interests, was bypassed during the share transfer, which was executed solely under Ganduje’s authority as governor.

No hearing date has been set, but the case is assigned to Kano State High Court 2, presided over by Justice Yusuf Ubale.