From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Federal High Court, sitting in Kano has ruled that the Kano State Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC lacks the power to investigate former Governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje over the alleged $5 million bribery video.
The presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi Liman, while delivering the judgment on Tuesday said the alleged offence is a federal offence that could only be prosecuted by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Mr Liman however said the Kano anti-graft agency had a limitation to investigate the former governor.
According to the judge, “The offence is a federal offence and ought to have been reported before the AGF and EFCC.
“The scope of the anti-corruption is limited to specific power to investigate Federal offences,” Justice Liman said.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the judgment, the counsel to anti-graft agency, Bar. Usman Umar Fari said they will appeal the matter at the Court of Appeal.
Recall that Mr Ganduje, through his counsel, Matthew Burkaa SAN, had filed a motion of exparte, dated July 7, 2023 on fundamental rights enforcement procedure rules 2009 under section 46 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The applicant is seeking the court to restrain PCACC from arresting, investigating and inviting Mr Ganduje over the alleged dollar video.
The respondents in the case were Kano state Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission,Nigeria Police, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano State, State Security Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Others are, Attorney General of the Federation and Attorney General of Kano State.
