Reopening Ganduje�s dollar video probe contempt of court � Ex-AG

The immediate-past Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Musa Lawal, has described as ignorant the statement by the reinstated Kano Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman, Muhyi Rimin-Gado, that he would reopen probe into former governor Abdullahi Ganduje�s �dollar video.�

An online news medium had in 2018 released a video, ostensibly capturing Ganduje taking dollars from some contrators and stuffing in his pockets. But Ganduje has repeatedly refuted the bribery allegation, maintaining that the video was doctored.

The Kano anti-corruption czar,� Rimin-Gado, who was sacked by Ganduje, was on Wednesday reinstated by the new Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf.

On Thursday, Rimin-Gado, during a programme on Trust TV, expressed his intention to reopen probe into Ganduje�s matter.

According to him, the Kano anti-graft commission could not proceed against Ganduje then because he enjoyed immunity as a sitting governor.

Rimin-Gado said, �When I said I will investigate Ganduje�s dollar case, he was the incumbent governor� I was working under him. Let alone now that he is a former governor?

�So I meant every word I said. At that time, I told you we will open an investigation and we are investigating.

�But there are certain limitations, because any incumbent governor, deputy governor, president or vice president has immunity under the Nigerian constitution.

�So there was a limit to what we could do. Now, the limit is no more. The commission will do what is necessary.�

But speaking in an interview with The PUNCH, Lawal, who served as attorney general under Ganduje, said an attempt to reopen the case would amount to contempt of court.

The ex-commissioner said, �How can you open an investigation into a case that is before a Federal Appeal Court in Abuja?�

He reminded the anti-corruption boss that the case in question was a legal issue in which judgment had been delivered, which further led to an appeal.

He said, �The dollar video case is still an allegation that is before a competent court in Abuja, so for somebody to now come to Kano and start talking about it could even be tantamount to contempt of court.�

Lawal further explain that the matter had both criminal and civil legs.

�The police peadquarters in Abuja are handling the criminal aspect of the case and all those that are involved, that is the contractors handling Kano projects, have testified before the police and the case has not been closed.

�Part of the police investigation into the criminal aspect of the case led to the principal accused person running away from Nigeria and up till now the police authorities have not closed the case. So, what are you investigating?� he added.

Lawal then cautioned against doing something that would jeopardise the court and the police investigation into the matter.