Embattled Emir of Kano, Mr Muhammad Sanusi II, faced a fresh trouble Thursday as Kano State Government gave him 48 hours to show reasons why he should not be suspended from the throne.
The government, in a query dated June 6, 2019 and signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Usman Alhaji, asked the monarch to defend himself against allegations by Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission that Sanusi was undermining investigations into a probe of allegation of the mismanagement of N3.4 billion under his watch.
The query is coming barely a month after the state Governor, Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, signed into law a bill that split Kano Emirate into five with the appointment of four emirs for the newly-created emirates.
The creation of four additional emirates in the state leaves Sanusi with the control of 10 out of the 44 local government areas in the state.
The new emirs are Messers Aminu Ado Bayero of Bichi, Ibrahim Abubakar II of Karaye, Tafida Abubakar of Rano and Ibrahim Abdulkadir of Gaya.
Although the governor justified the balkanisation of the emirate because it was meant to reduce the burden on Sanusi, it was widely believed that the action was targeted at Sanusi, accused of working against the re-election of the governor.
The query, titled: “Report of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission,” read:
“Kano State Government is in receipt of a report by Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission dated May 31, 2019, as per copy attached herewith, on the on-going investigation by the commission involving the misappropriation of the total sum of N3.4 billion by the Kano State Emirate Council under your leadership between the Years 2014-2017.
Specifically, the report has indicated the aspects of the allegations and recommendations as set out at pages 14-16 therein.
“Accordingly, the commission in its report under reference, has recommended for your suspension and all other suspects connected with the issue pending the outcome of the case, and in order to allow for unhindered investigative processes.
“In the light of the foregoing, therefore, I am to request you to give satisfactory explanations on the allegations raised within 48 hours of the receipt of this letter to allow government to take appropriate decisions on the issue in earnest.”
Chief of Staff to the emir, Mr Munir Sanusi, confirmed receipt of the query.
“We received the query today (Thursday). The state government has demanded the response of His Highness within 24 hours. The council is studying the content,” he said.
Thisday
