Following allegations of financial impropriety against the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Emirate Council has refuted all the allegations, stressing that they were deliberate attempt to smear the image of the Council.
At a press conference yesterday in Kano, a senior councilor of the Emirate Council, Alhaji Mahe Bashir Wali, who is the custodian of the Council’s treasury, said:“This media briefing is not to respond to the issues raised at the state investigating agency. We are still expecting them to continue with their investigation.”
According to him, “It is just a deliberate attempt by fifth columnists to tarnish the image of the council, especially on the social media platforms.”
Wali, who provided some details of the expenditure, also explained that Emir Sanusi inherited N1.9 billion (exactly N1.893,378.927.38) and not N4 billion as stated in some media reports.
Against the widely circulated allegation that the Emir was allegedly involved in misappropriating over N4 billion, Wali said: “The sum of N1,893,378,927.38 was the exact amount inherited by Muhammadu Sanusi II, against the alleged claim of N4 billion.”
On whether the Emir was involved in unnecessary trips to embezzle council’s money, Wali said: “The council chartered air flight twice for his highness for the following trips: In September 2014 to Sokoto, when the Emir paid a traditional homage to the Sultan of Sokoto after his turbaning as Emir of Kano and the Council spent N4,651,000.00k.
“Also in January 2015 to Benin for his installation as Chancellor of University of Benin and it cost the Emirate N9,071,000.00.
“All the trips were made as a result of lack of schedule flights at that time to make this important and historical trips and it cost the council the sum of N13,722,000.00 as against alleged N9,071,000.00.”
On the allegation of purchase of luxurious bulletproof vehicles, he said, “the two bullet proof vehicles were surely purchased based on the advice and approval of the state government vide SSG’s Letter No SSG/S/D/A/36/TI/109 of 17th September, 2014.”
“This was as a result of an attack on the late Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero on his way from Murtala Muhammad Mosque to the palace. At N142,800,000.00.”
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2017 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
