The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday invited the publisher/editor-in-chief of DAILY NIGERIAN, Jaafar Jaafar, to appear before a panel investigating the authenticity of Ganduje bribe-taking video clips published by the online newspaper.
In a letter dated October 18 and signed by the secretary of the committee, Mujtaba Ameen, the House invited Mr Jaafar to appear before the committee on Thursday, October 25.
A version of the letter circulated on social media however said the publisher was invited to appear on October 26.
DAILY NIGERIAN lawyers are currently studying the Assembly’s invitation letter and will write a reply as soon as possible.
The saga
Recall that on Monday, the Kano House of Assembly opened probe on the bribe-taking videos of the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, published by DAILY NIGERIAN.
Raising a matter of urgent public importance on Monday, a member representing Warawa Constituency, Labaran Madari, said the assembly should investigate the authenticity of the video and take measures.
Mr Madari said the videos had brought the institution of governance in the state to disrepute, and therefore the need for the legislators to take urgent action.
The matter was seconded by Rabiu Panisau, a member representing Kumbotso constituency.
Responding, the speaker, Alhassan Rurum, constituted a seven-man committee to investigate the matter and report back to the assembly.
Members of the committee include Baffa Dan’Agundi (Kano Municipal) as chairman; Labaran Madari (Warawa) member; Garba Gafasa (Ajingi), member; and Zubairu Masu, (Sumaila) member.
Others are Ayuba Labaran (Kabo) member; Abubakar Galadima (Bebeji), member; Garba Yau Gwarmai (Kunchi/Tsanyawa), member and; Mujtafa Amin, secretary.
Inside sources told DAILY NIGERIAN that the assembly is planning to serve the governor impeachment notice as soon as the committee submits its report.
“This is a serious matter that should not be swept under the carpet. We did preliminary investigation and found out the videos are genuine. The committee is just mere formality,” said a member who preferred anonymity.
“The governor confessed to some of us that it was real but he is now trying to stop us from exercising our constitutional duty.”
Mr Ganduje has appeared in a trove of video clips receiving bribe, amounting to about $5million from contractors in the state.
Multiple contractors who spoke with DAILY NIGERIAN on the condition of anonymity said the governor personally receives from 15 to 25 percent kickbacks for every project executed in the state.
The sting operation to capture the governor on camera began two years ago when one of the contractors agreed with DAILY NIGERIAN request to plant spy camera on his kaftan lapel while offering the bribe.
During about 10 months efforts to capture the bribe giving/taking scenes, the governor’s face and body were clearly captured in nine clips, while six others did not clearly reveal the governor’s face. About $5m dollars were delivered to the governor during the sting operation.
One of the contractors who preferred not to be named said the reason he collaborated with DAILY NIGERIAN was to expose corruption and bring sanity to the country.
