The Kano State Government has filed a lawsuit seeking to recover its 20% equity in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and reclaim ₦4.49 billion ($3 million) in allegedly misappropriated public funds, according to court documents.
The suit, filed on October 13 at the Kano State High Court, names former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his sons Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar, former Nigerian Shippers’ Council chief Hassan Bello, former special adviser Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, lawyer Adamu Aliyu Sanda, and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited as defendants.
Prosecutors accuse the defendants of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds, and conflict of interest in a 10-count charge.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired to transfer 80% of Dala Inland Dry Port shares — including the state’s 20% stake — to private firms under a shell company called City Green Enterprise, to obscure ownership and divert public assets.
Investigators further allege that the defendants diverted ₦4.49 billion in state funds meant for road construction, electricity supply, and fencing at the dry port — projects purportedly executed for their personal and family benefit.
The prosecution stated that the accused persons used their official positions to manipulate government resources, in violation of financial regulations and constitutional provisions.
Court documents also allege the creation of false records and sham transactions through proxy firms, including Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise), to channel ₦750 million of state money into private accounts.
Prosecutors plan to call key witnesses, including the lead investigating officer and an early project stakeholder who claims he was sidelined during the disputed equity transfer.
The state also intends to tender policy documents dating back to the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, showing Kano’s 20% ownership in the dry port project.
No trial date has been set, but officials said the case has been assigned to Justice Yusuf Ubale of Kano State High Court 2.