SERAP Asks Buhari to Investigate Bribery Allegations against Ganduje

A civil society organisation society, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), or the appropriate anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations of bribery against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State contained in widely circulated video clips allegedly showing him receiving bribe.

The organisation said if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, Ganduje should face prosecution at the expiration of his tenure as governor.

SERAP also urged the government to instruct the AGF to ensure the protection and guarantee the safety and security of journalist, Jaafar Jaafar, who reportedly published the video clips.

In the open letter dated November 2, 2018 and signed by SERAP’s senior legal adviser, Ms. Bamisope Adeyanju, the organisation said, “Given the history of corruption in Nigeria, especially unresolved allegations of grand corruption against many state governors, your government cannot and should not look the other way regarding the allegations against Ganduje. Any allegations of bribery and abuse of power in any state of Nigeria is of concern to every Nigerian, and should therefore, be of concern to your government.”

The organisation also said, “The obligations of your government to combat corruption in Nigeria extend to all the three tiers of government, namely, the federal government, state government and local government. Although primarily a matter of concern for Kano State, the allegations of bribery against Ganduje have assumed such a proportion as to become a matter of concern to the federation as a whole, and therefore, to your government.”