Bribery video: Ganduje denies bribery allegations, describes Jafar a blackmailer

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has denied all bribery allegations leveled against him by the publisher of Daily Nigerian, Jafar Jafar, in videos released by the publisher recently, describing him as a blackmailer.

Ganduje denied the allegations on Friday through a letter read before the state’s House of Assembly committee investigating the alleged video.

Ganduje, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Muhammad Garba, also denied the allegations, insisting that he has not accepted any bribe from anyone and will not accept any bribe.

Ganduje also described the video as a political weapon orchestrated by some political opponents to tarnish his image at a time the nation is warming up for another election.

He described Jafar Jafar as a serial blackmailer who has previously done same to the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, on immorality, and the former Governor of Kano state, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, of having houses in London and Dubai but that at the end, the truth always prevailed.

He called on the committee to ensure a thorough investigation and ensure that justice is served at the end of the investigation, assuring them of his support in the course of their investigation.

Meanwhile, the state Attorney General, Ibrahim Mukhtar, has cautioned media houses to be professional in the cause of their reportage over the matter.

He said the call became pertinent following a false report he heard on one of the radio stations in the state before the commencement of the sitting that only one member of the investigative committee was present whereas, all the seven members of the committee were present.

Lawyer to Governor Ganduje, Barrister Maruf Yakasai, noted that there has been instances of character defamation by different media outfits which could lead to legal responses, saying , however, that the governor has decided to look the other away.

He called on reporters to remember and apply the various code of ethics guiding the journalism profession while reporting on the matter for the sake of peace and public interest.

During Friday sitting, the Publisher, Daily Nigerian, Jafar Jafar, was absent and there was no representative on his behalf.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Baffa Dan Agundi, said the committee could not cross-examine the commissioner because he’s not Ganduje but that the committee will not relent at carrying out its duties.

He adjourned the sitting till Tuesday, November 6, 2018, during which members of the committee would sit with forensic experts to watch and analyse the alleged video.