The Kano State Police Command on Thursday invited a reporter with Premium Times, Abubakar Maishanu, over an investigative report he authored on alleged multi-billion-naira dealings at the Dala Inland Dry Port.
Maishanu reported to the Criminal Investigation Department at the command’s headquarters in Bompai after a formal letter signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Muhammad Jarma requested that the newspaper release the journalist for an undisclosed investigation.
The reporter arrived at the police headquarters accompanied by his counsel, Muhammad Muhammad, to honour the invitation.
He met with the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of X-Squad, Chika, and was later joined by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa.
Chika explained that the invitation was part of an ongoing police inquiry relating to an investigative report written by Maishanu in September last year.
The report alleged shady dealings involving a former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, in what it described as a multi-billion-naira ownership scandal at the Dala Inland Dry Port.
During the meeting, the police presented a printed copy of the investigative report to the journalist for confirmation. Maishanu affirmed that he authored the report and provided a brief written statement confirming that it was published by Premium Times on September 1 last year.
Sources familiar with the meeting said the session was cordial and professional, with Chika describing Premium Times as his favourite media outlet and noting that he frequently visits the platform for reliable information.
Kiyawa also commended journalist unions in the state for their role in the process, particularly the Chairperson of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Kano, Murtala Adewale, whom he praised for handling the matter professionally.
The investigative report in question detailed how the Kano State Government is prosecuting Ganduje and other defendants before the State High Court over the alleged fraudulent transfer of 80 per cent shares in the Dala Inland Dry Port, including the state’s 20 per cent equity, to private individuals.
The prosecution alleged that more than N4.49bn in state funds was diverted for infrastructure projects at the dry port, including the construction of a double-carriageway, electricity installations and perimeter fencing, allegedly for personal and family benefit.
The defendants are also facing charges bordering on abuse of office and conflict of interest, with the state government accusing them of leveraging their official positions to redirect public resources in violation of financial and constitutional regulations.
Premium Times had reported that Ganduje allegedly facilitated the transfer of the state government’s 20 per cent stake in the facility to private hands, making his children co-owners of the company before awarding a contract worth over N4bn for infrastructure development at the project site.
Corporate records cited in the report showed that when Dala Inland Dry Port Limited was incorporated on December 8, 2003, its directors were Ahmad Rabiu and his son, Rabiu Ahmad Rabiu. In 2005, additional directors were appointed.
However, records indicated that on March 5, 2020, three of Ganduje’s children and his associate, Abubakar Bawuro, were appointed as new directors of the company, replacing earlier board members.
Minutes of the company’s Annual General Meeting held on the same date at its Zaria Road office in Kano confirmed the appointment of Abdulaziz Abdullahi Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar as directors and shareholders, each holding five million shares representing 20 per cent of the company’s 25 million shares.
Under the new structure, five shareholders, including the former governor’s children and Bawuro, each held 20 per cent equity, effectively removing the Kano State Government from the ownership structure.
The state government has maintained that due process was not followed in the divestment and accused Ganduje of using his office to undermine the state’s interest.
