SOKOTO State government, yesterday, received a report from its judicial commission of inquiry, alleging that over N117 billion was misappropriated during the eight-year administration of former Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Chairman of the commission, Justice Mu’azu Abdulkadir Pindiga (rtd), while submitting the report, also cited non-compliance with due process, breaches of extant laws and abuse of office under the former governor’s tenure.
He claimed that the commission’s findings revealed widespread financial irregularities amounting to over N117 billion, which he said stemmed largely from disregard for procurement laws, weak financial controls and abuse of executive authority.
He said the inquiry was established to scrutinise the conduct of the previous administration through verifiable records and sworn testimonies, in line with constitutional provisions and public interest.
According to the chairman, the report is structured into five major segments covering the background of the inquiry, testimonies received, detailed findings, recommendations, as well as a summary and conclusion to guide government action.
He explained that the commission painstakingly examined documents, contracts and financial records, while also hearing from witnesses drawn from relevant ministries, departments, agencies and other stakeholders connected to the administration under review.
Justice Pindiga commended members of the commission for what he described as their dedication, professionalism and honesty throughout the assignment, noting that the work was carried out without fear or favour.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto stressed that the setting up of the panel was not a political vendetta but a constitutional responsibility and trust.
He, however, noted that a committee would be set up to prepare a white paper based on the report with sincerity and fairness to all found wanting.
The development came as the criminal trial against former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife, Dr Hafsa Umar and six others stalled yesterday following multiple motions.
The 11-count charge bordering on alleged bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of public funds running into billions of Naira was instituted by the Kano State government against the former governor and seven others.
Ganduje and wife are standing the alleged criminal trial along with their son, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, lawyers to the prosecution and defendants drew the court’s attention to pending applications, including preliminary objections and stay of proceedings.
Addressing Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, the prosecuting counsel, Victor Oni, set a motion to proceed with the trial, but sought the leave of the court to produce additional proof of evidence against the defendants.
According to Oni, the court had already been notified of a motion on notice filed and dated November 24, 2025, seeking the leave of the court to produce more evidence against the defendants.
While taking her turn, counsel to Ganduje, wife and son, Mrs Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, reminded the court of a pending motion seeking a stay of proceedings until hearing and determination of the appeal filed before the appellate court.
On his part, lawyer to the third and seventh defendants, Mr Adekunle Taiye-Falola, raised a similar observation notifying the court of the readiness to proceed with the motion filed on May 23, 2025.
Similarly, counsel to the fifth defendant, Mr Muhammad Shehu, informed the court that they had filed an affidavit of facts to notify the court of an application for a stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal.
Counsel to the sixth defendant, Mr Abubakar Ahmad, said they had filed a notice of preliminary objection and an application for extension of time to reply on points of law dated February 2, 2026.
He, however, sought an adjournment, noting that the application was not yet ripe for hearing.
Stuck with multiple applications, Justice Adamu-Aliyu directed all parties to perfect service of all applications before adjourning the matter till April 15, 2026, for hearing of preliminary objections and all pending applications.
