The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by Governor Abba Yusuf to probe his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday, April 29, had its inaugural sitting.
During the sitting, held at High Court No 3, Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano, the chairman of the commission, Justice Faruk Adamu, said the commission was inaugurated on April 4 to “recover misappropriated public properties and assets.”
He gave May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023, as the period under review for recovery, which represents the two terms of Abdullahi Ganduje as governor of Kano state.
The commission said the meeting was preparatory to public hearings coming up in a few days.
The chairman said the commission will review the sale, disposal or allocation of all government-owned properties, institutional buildings including school buildings, government hospitals, praying grounds, historical and cultural sites and monuments, graveyards, and other open land or spaces within Kano Urban Area or other urban lands in other parts of the country belonging to Kano State from May 29, 2015, to May 29, 2023.
The commission will also, among other terms, provide a comprehensive inventory of all such affected properties, to determine the cost or value at which such sales or allocations were made and also provide the estimated current market value of such properties.
To determine the individuals, companies, agencies or entities to which such sales, disposal or allocations were made whether such properties have changed hands and if so to whom.
To determine if any abuses have been perpetrated in the process of such sale, disposal or allocations and identify the officials or persons responsible for such abuses.
Also, to determine the role of government ministries, departments and agencies or particular government officials in the process of such sales, disposal or allocations and determine their responsibility or culpability in any abuses or breaches of relevant laws and regulations.
To make recommendations on the recovery of any government properties, any farmlands, prayer grounds, graveyards, historical or cultural sites or monuments and other open spaces belonging to members of the public or institutional building found to be improperly sold, disposed of or allocated to any individual, company or entity.
Members of the commission include Justice Faruk Adamu (Chairman), Barr, Abdulkarim Maude, Prof Ibrahim Bello, Hamza Madaki, M. H. Gano and Salisu Mustapha (Secretary).
Other members are Arch. Ibrahim Yakubu (MD KNUPDA), Salisu Mohammed (Representing the Nigeria Police Force), Yahaya Garba (Representing Nig. Security and Civil Defence), Ibrahim Kagara (ICPC, Kano), Kabiru Dakata (Representative of Civil Society) and Ibrahim Aikawa (representing Trade Unions).
The commission’s chairman, Justice Faruk Adamu said the panel was not established to witch-hunt or prosecute anybody.
He said: “Rather, it is on a fact-finding mission and at the end of our findings we will submit a set of recommendations to the State Government for possible implementation.
“I wish to assure all and sundry that the commission will be just and give a fair hearing to all the parties involved, be it individuals, companies, agencies or entities.”
