The Kano State government has filed a criminal case against former governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, ex-Nigerian Shippers Council executive secretary Hassan Bello, and five others, accusing them of diverting over ₦4.49 billion in public funds meant for investment in the Dala Inland Dry Port.
Filed under Criminal Suit No. KN/252/25, the case includes 10 charges, ranging from criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, misuse of public funds, to conflict of interest. The matter is being heard at the Kano State High Court.
In addition to Ganduje and Bello, the following individuals and entity are named in the suit: Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar – Ganduje’s sons, Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro – former Special Adviser to the Governor, Adamu Aliyu Sanda – Company Secretary of the Dala Inland Dry Port and Dala Inland Dry Port Ltd.
According to the charge sheet obtained by The Guardian, the state government claims that the defendants fraudulently diverted 20% equity of Kano State’s investment in the Dala Inland Dry Port, Illegally transferred 80% of the company’s shares, including the state’s portion, to a fictitious company called City Green Enterprise to conceal real ownership, Used state funds (₦4.49 billion) to carry out infrastructure projects such as a double carriageway, power installations, and fencing, all allegedly benefiting the defendants personally or their family members
The government further accuses the defendants of abusing their official positions and engaging in self-dealing, which violated public trust and financial regulations.
The prosecution also claims that the accused used sham companies to obscure their control over the project.
They reportedly coerced the original founders of the dry port project into relinquishing control, Forged documents and misled regulatory authorities, Facilitated a complex transaction chain — including through Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise) to allegedly siphon ₦750 million in state funds
In a response to the reports, Dala Inland Dry Port Ltd issued a statement distancing itself from the accusations.
The company’s secretary, Barr. Adamu Aliyu Sanda, also one of the defendants, called the allegations “false and malicious.”
He insisted that verified documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) show no member of the Ganduje family has ever held a position as shareholder, director, or signatory in the company.
The case has been scheduled for hearing on November 17, 2025, before Justice Yusuf Ubale of the Kano State High Court.
