The Kano State Government has filed a major lawsuit before the State High Court, seeking to recover its 20 percent equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and over ₦4.49bn allegedly diverted from the state’s funds.

The case, filed on October 13, 2025, lists former Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his sons — Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar — and several others as defendants.

Others include former Special Adviser to the Governor Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro; former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello; a legal practitioner, Adamu Aliyu Sanda; and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants face a ten-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants fraudulently transferred 80 percent of the company’s shares — including the Kano government’s 20 percent equity — to private entities under a fictitious name, City Green Enterprise, to conceal the real ownership of the dry port.

It further claims that they diverted ₦4,492,387,013.76 of state funds to construct infrastructure such as a dual carriageway, electricity supply, and perimeter fencing at the dry port for personal and family benefit.

The charge also accuses the defendants of abusing their offices and manipulating public resources for private gain, violating both financial regulations and constitutional provisions.

The prosecution has listed several witnesses, including the lead investigating officer who uncovered the alleged fraudulent transactions and one of the early project stakeholders who claims he was sidelined during the equity transfer process.

In its summary of evidence, the prosecution says the accused used shell companies and proxies to hide ownership, forced original project founders to give up control, forged documents to mislead regulators, and transferred ₦750m of state funds through a firm known as Safari Textile Ltd (STL Enterprise).

The court documents also indicate that the fourth defendant had earlier confirmed, in an official research document, that the Kano State Government legally owned 20 percent of Dala Inland Dry Port shares, in line with policy approved during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

The prosecution added that it will present evidence to show that the purported transfer of shares was done without the full consent of the company’s board, but solely on the approval of the then governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Although no trial date has been fixed, the case has been assigned to Kano State High Court 2, presided over by Justice Yusuf Ubale.

Kano gov’t sues Ganduje, sons, Dala Inland Dry Port over ₦4.49bn funds