Based on a forensic analysis, it has been established that the 2017 viral video, which depicted former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje allegedly receiving bundles of dollar notes as a bribe from a contractor and tucking them in his flowing dress, is a true video and devoid of any manipulation.
During the ‘A One Day Public Dialogue on Anti-Corruption Crusade in Kano’ Chairman Muhuyi Rimingado of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission declared on Wednesday that the videos had been confirmed as authentic.
According to Rimingado, he had been subjected to mounting pressure from all quarters following the video’s publication, with expectations to substantiate the governor’s innocence or involvement.
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He emphasized that the commission’s ability to ascertain Ganduje’s guilt or innocence has been severely constrained since the investigation’s commencement in 2018, primarily due to the immunity he enjoyed as the former governor.
It is worth recalling that Ganduje disputed the veracity of the video when it came to light, prompting the Kano State House of Assembly to establish a committee for an investigation. However, the committee had not concluded its findings before a new assembly was inaugurated on July 4, 2023.
However, in a recent development, the former governor took legal action by submitting a request to the Kano State High Court, seeking to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from commencing an investigation against him concerning the matter.
In a legal action initiated before the high court, the former Attorney General of the State sought an injunction to prohibit the EFCC from probing Ganduje until the determination of a lawsuit between the former governor and the publisher of the Daily Nigerian, Jafaar Jafaar.
With the former governor no longer enjoying immunity, the public eagerly awaits the outcome of the lawsuits, especially considering the positive verification of the authenticity of the bribery video.