Gandujegate: Kano House of Assembly to Insists on Probing Alleged Video Clips Despite Court Order

Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday said that it would continue investigating the alleged videos showing the state Governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, allegedly receiving bribe from a contractor, despite a court order to stop the probe.

A Kano High Court last Monday ordered the assembly to stop investigating the video clips in an order sought by one Muhammad Zubair on behalf of Lawyers for Sustainable Democratisation of Nigeria.

The High Court 3, presided over by Justice A.T. Badamasi, directed the committee investigating the matter to maintain the status quo ante pending the determination of the motion on notice.

However, in a press conference yesterday evening, Chairman of a seven-man committee constituted by the assembly to investigate the allegation, Baffa Dan-agundi, said according to their understanding, the court did not stop them from the probe.

According to him, the assembly understood that the court said: "The status quo be maintained pending the determination of the motion," adding that the committee would approach the court to tender its documents that give it the power to investigate the matter.

He cited sections 128 and 129 of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides that state House of Assembly has the jurisdiction to probe corruption allegations.

Dan-agundi stated that the assembly has utmost respect for court of law, adding that the committee would respect whatever interpretation given by the court on November 12 when the judge set aside for hearing.

"We have received a court order to stop investigating the video clips showing Governor Ganduje allegedly collecting bribe.

“We had a meeting today at the assembly, and according to our understanding, the court didn't stop us from investigating the allegation. We understand that the court only said status quo be maintained. As such, we will continue with our work.

“The court set next Monday for us to appear before it for hearing. We will respect the court and go with our documents that justify our position and jurisdiction to investigate this matter," Dan-agundi said.

Dan-agundi also revealed that the next items on their schedule was forensic analysis of the video clips, which should have been held on Tuesday but suspended as a result of the court order.