Last updated on January 6th, 2022 at 01:35 pm
The Kano State House of Assembly has been told it lacked the power to invite and investigate Governor Abdullahi Ganduje over any alleged criminal case.
Kano High Court gave the ruling today and ruled that the lawmakers steer clear of investigating the governor who was said to have been in caught in several video clips collecting what was alleged to be bribes from contractors in the state.
Ahmed Badamasi, a judge, gave the ruling on Thursday.
The power to investigate criminal charges is vested in the police, Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Badamasi said.
The judge pointed out that the assembly, by constitution, only has the power to make law and review existing law but not the power to investigate criminal matters
The suit was filed by Muhammad Zubairu, national coordinator of Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria, a pro-democracy group.
Joined as defendants in the suit were Baffa Dangundi, chairman of the investigative panel of the house, and the attorney general of the state.
Nuraini Jimoh, counsel to the plaintiff, applauded the ruling while Muhammad Waziri, the defendant’s lawyer, said he would consult his clients on their next line of action.
The state assembly had set up a seven-man committee to investigate the bribery allegation against Ganduje.
On November 5, the court had ordered the house to suspend the probe while ruling on an ex parte application by Zubair.
But the assembly vowed not to comply with the order.
The chairman of the committee investigating the issue had said the court order did not stop the panel from continuing with the investigation.
However, on November 13, the assembly eventually succumbed to the order, saying the house is a law-abiding arm of government, hence, it would obey the court and suspend all forms of investigation on the case pending the court judgement.
The governor has denied the allegation.
He’s a member of the ruling party APC, which promised to fight corruption.
