Inside Nigeria
Storm gathers in Kano as anti-graft agency grills Emir Sanusi’s aide
...Observers fear clampdown may be part of plot to depose the Emir
These, certainly, are not the best of times for the Emir of Kano, HRM Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Less than 24 hours after the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, whittled the Emir’s influence and power by breaking the Kano Emirate into five, the state’s anti-corruption agency interrogated his aide for alleged misappropriation of funds.
The Isa Bayero, who was chief aide to Emir Sanusi’s predecessor, Emir Ado Bayero, confirmed to reporters Thursday that he was grilled by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission.
He told reporters that he confronted with some documents and had to request for time to study them.
“When I appeared before the investigating panel,” Isa Bayero said, “I was presented with some documents which I went through and I requested for more time to study and return them.
“I was not given any specific time to report but if I am able to go through the documents today (Thursday, May 9), I will call back the following day to face the panel for further interrogation.”
After the encounter, Bayero said he was ordered to report back tomorrow, Friday, May 10, with some documents.
Bayero exuded uncommon confidence when he narrated his encounter with the anti-graft commission, declaring that “truth will prevail” at the end of it all.
Apart from Isa Bayero, other top staff of Emir Sanusi II were also invited for interrogation. They are: Mohammad Sani Kwaru, the accountant, Mannir Sanusi, the chief of staff, Danburan Mujittafa and Falakin Kano, who did not honour the invitation.
Observers of the gathering storm in Kano believe the events of the past four days were not mere happen stance. Rather, they were part of a grand plan by the state administration to depose Emir Sanusi who has been severally accused of being antagonistic to the state administration.
According to the observers, things fell apart between the Emir and Ganduje, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, APC, when he reportedly (Sanusi) openly backed the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“As a topmost traditional ruler, and as father to all the citizens in the Kano Emirate, including Governor Ganduje and other political leaders, Emir Sanusi ought to have been impartial,” one of the observers said. “The Emir ought to be have been neutral and be seen to be absolutely neutral in political matters. But he chose not to, hence this unpleasant situation.”
