TheCable

The Kano emirate says the allegation that Muhammadu Sanusi II, the emir, embezzled over N4 billion is an attempt to tarnish his image and that of the council.

There had been reports that the emirate council’s secretary and treasurer were summoned by the Kano state public complaints and anti-corruption commission to explain how over N4billion was spent.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Mahe Wali, custodian of the council’s treasury, explained that the council had to charter flights twice to Sokoto and Benin due to the circumstances of the trips at the time.

He said two bullet proof cars were also purchased based on the advice and approval of the state government after the Ado Bayero, the late emir, was attacked on his way back from Murtala Muhammad Mosque to the Palace.

“This media briefing is not to respond to the issues raised at the state investigating agency. We are still expecting them to continue with their investigation,” Wali said.

“It is just a deliberate attempt by fifth columnists to tarnish the image of the council especially in the social media platforms.

“The sum of N1,893,378,927.38k was the exact amount inherited by His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II, against the alleged claim of N4 billion.

“The council chattered an air flight only twice for His Highness for the following trips,  In September 2014 to Sokoto when the emir paid a traditional homage to sultan of Sokoto after his turbaning as emir of Kano and the council spent N4,651,000.00k.

“In January 2015, to Benin for his installation as chancellor of Benin university and it cost the emirate council N9,071,000.00k. All the trips were made as a result of lack of schedule flights at that time to make this important and historical trips and it cost the council the sum of N13,722,000.00 as against alleged N9,071,000.00k.

“The two bullet proof vehicles were surely purchased based on the advice and approval of the state government vide SSG’s letter No SSG/S/D/A/36/TI/109 of 17th September, 2014.”