N4bn probe: Court orders arrest of Sanusi, 2 others

The lingering crisis between the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, took a new twist on Tuesday as a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kano ordered the arrest of Mannir Sanusi, the Chief of Staff to the Emir and two other persons.

Recall that Ganduje had signed a law which created an additional four emirates, a move that was widely seen as depletion of Emir Lamido Sanusi’s influence.

He had subsequently appointed Aminu Ado Bayero, the son of Late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, as the Emir of Bichi; Ibrahim Abulkadir as the Emir of Gaya; Tafida Abubakar as the Emir Of Rano and Abubakar Ibrahim II as the Emir of Karaye.

The Kano state government, through the Kano State Public Complainant and Anti-corruption Commission subsequently dragged some top palace officials, before the court for failing to honour its invitation in a N4 billion fraud investigation against the Emir of Kano.

Chief Magistrate Mohammed Idris ordered the arrest of Sanusi, who holds the traditional title of Damburan Kano, Mujitaba Abba and the Accountant of Kano Emirate Council Sani Muhammad-Kwaru over their alleged refusal to honour the commission’s invitation.

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The commission wrote to the court seeking for an order of arrest against the three palace officials.

Idris consequently issued and signed the arrest warrant sequel to a motion by Salisu Tahir, Chief State counsel.

Tahir had said that the request was based on the provision of Section 38 of the enabling Law establishing the Commission.

Recalled that the Commission had invited four people in connection to the allegation, of which only one person, Isa Bayero, alias Isa Pilot, who was a former Scribe to the Emirate Council, honoured the invitation.

When contacted, the Chairman of the commission, Mr Muhiyi Magaji said the three persons that have arrest warrant on their heads are the principal suspects in the case.

He said the commission had already requested security operatives to enforce the order and arrest the three persons.