NGO Petitions Kano Assembly to Probe Alleged Diversion of ₦308m by Former Deputy Governor

A Kano-based non-governmental organisation, One Kano Agenda (OKA), has petitioned the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, calling for a legislative investigation into the alleged diversion of ₦308 million reportedly earmarked for special prayer programmes across the state’s 44 local government areas.

The petition, signed by the Director-General of OKA, Ambassador Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai, followed allegations made by the Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Tsangaya Education, Sheikh Musa Falaki, who claimed that funds approved for clerics to conduct special prayers over a seven-month period were diverted.

According to the petition, Sheikh Falaki alleged that each of the 44 local government councils contributed ₦44 million monthly for seven months to finance the prayer programme, which was to be coordinated by himself and Sheikh Ibrahim Sheshi Maihula.

However, the organisation stated that the two clerics reportedly denied receiving any funds connected with the exercise or conducting the prayer sessions for which the money was allegedly released.

OKA further alleged that a total of ₦308 million may have been disbursed for the programme without the knowledge or involvement of the clerics whose names were reportedly used to facilitate the initiative.

The group also noted claims that the matter may be part of a broader investigation into the management of local government funds, with allegations that additional sums running into hundreds of millions of naira could also be involved.

According to the petition, the allegations have generated widespread public concern and raised questions about accountability, transparency, and the management of public resources in the state.

“As representatives of the people and custodians of democratic oversight, the Kano State House of Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to investigate matters of significant public interest, particularly where allegations of financial misconduct involving public funds have been raised,” the petition stated.

The organisation urged the Assembly to institute a thorough and independent investigation into the alleged diversion of funds meant for the special prayer programme.

It also requested lawmakers to invite the former Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, officials of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Sheikh Musa Falaki, Sheikh Ibrahim Sheshi Maihula, and representatives of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to provide clarification on the allegations.

In addition, OKA asked the Assembly to establish the actual amount of public funds involved, determine whether due process was followed in the approval, disbursement and utilisation of the funds, recommend appropriate legal or administrative action if any wrongdoing is established, and ensure the recovery of any public funds found to have been misappropriated.

The organisation stressed that its petition was not intended to prejudge any individual or institution but was aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and due process while safeguarding public confidence in governance.

The petition was signed by the Publicity Secretary of One Kano Agenda, Munnir Ibrahim.