Embezzlement: How Emir Sanusi squandered N3.4b – Kano anti-graft agency

The Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission has described the claim by the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, that he was not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council as a misrepresentation of facts.

This is contained in a preliminary report of the Commission on the investigation being carried out in respect of the alleged misappropriation of over N3.4 billion by the Kano Emirate Council.

The report was signed by the commission’s Chairman, Mr Muhuyi Magaji, a copy of which was made available to Reporter in Kano on Thursday.

Emir Sanusi had in a reply to a query by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje over the alleged N3.4 billion misappropriation, claimed that he met only N1.8 billion in the Emirate Council accounts at the time of his appointment as emir.

The Nation recalls that the monarch also maintained that he was not the accounting officer of the emirate at the time but the institutions secretary before his ascension of the throne.

But in the latest report with reference number PCAC/GEN/6/VOL.I dated June 11, 2019 and addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, the anti-corruption body implied that the emir was not being truthful in his defense.

Part of the report reads: “In furtherance to the Commission’s earlier communication No. PCAC/GEN/6/V.I dated 31st May, 2019 on the above subject matter and the unfolding events, the Commission deemed it necessary to make some clarifications as follows:-

“It is imperative to state categorically that, the Commission’s investigation is on alleged misappropriation and questionable expenditures but not on the funds left behind by the Late Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero and we still maintain our stance.

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“In the cause of investigation we undertook an analysis of the main Account belonging to Kano Emirate Council and domicile at First Bank with account No. 2005888452 starting from the era of the Late Emir to enable the Commission have an idea of how the money is being managed.”

According to the report, there were 783 activities bordering on withdrawals, transfers and placements from Jan. 2, 2013 to June 6, 2014 during the time of the late Emir.

“As from 2nd January 2013 to 13th April, 2017 the opening balance is N432,338,412.98. Total credit made in the account during this period was N6,784,146,335.73 while the total debit during the period under review is N7,209,035,163.09.” It said.

However, it added that, “The closing balance as at April, 2017 is N7,449,585.62.”

It further indicated that “on Feb.13, 2014 and Feb. 26, 2014 payments were made to Philko Ltd, the company said to have undertook the construction of Ado Bayero Royal City via Inter Bank transfers of the sum of N776,159,519.50.

“There were transfers of N388,079,759.75, N338,079,759.75 and N50,000,000.00 made on Feb. 13, 2014 and Feb. 26, 2014 respectively; making the total quoted figures for Philko Ltd.”

The report also alleged that during the period, fixed deposit placements were made to the tune of N581,884,729.54 (placement and rollovers) while net withdrawals on some engagements both cash and withdrawal stood at N1,056,533,728.31.

“In summary, the total withdrawal made from the Account under the Late Emir was N2,414,577,977.35, subtracting this amount from total debit on the account which is N7,209,035,163.09.

“It is evidently clear that the current Emir is responsible for the expenditures to the total sum of N4,794,457,185.74 from the Emirate Council Account domicile in First Bank Plc,” it said.

Similarly, it alleged that all the expenditures made by the Emirate Council were either based on the approval or instructions of Emir Sanusi.

It attached copy of a payment voucher in respect of one of the withdrawals to buttress its claim, which reads, “Being payment to the above named in respect of making special prayers for peace as directed by H.H. Emir of Kano respectively”.

“Therefore, any claim that the Emir is not the accounting officer of the Kano Emirate Council is a deception and a misrepresentation of facts.

“Specifically, the reason of our recommendation for the suspension apart from obstruction of investigation which formed the basis, investigation further reveals that Rufa’i Buhari (Senior Accountant) usually made cash
withdrawals directly from the account and change it to Dollars on behalf of the Emir.

“Sometimes direct transfers from the account are made to a Bureau De Change belonging to one Jazuli Sani who was said to have died.

“The Commission still maintain the allegation on unappropriated, seemingly personal expenditures, making the total sum of questionable expenditures uncovered by this investigation to the tune of N3,432,090,797.94 only”, the report added.