Kano Assembly Speaker resigns over probe of Emir Sanusi

The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon Kabiru Rurum, has resigned amidst allegation of collecting money to scuttle the investigation of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

The House had moved to probe the Emir for alleged corruption, but later backed down.

Kano’s anti-corruption agency also suspended its investigation of the monarch after prominent Nigerians, including Acting President Osinbajo, intervened.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that Rurum was allegedly accused of being bribed to discontinue the probe but the speaker denied the allegation.

Rurum resigned on Monday in a letter read at plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Ibrahim Chidariof, who presided over the sitting on Monday.

The former speaker was alleged to have collected N100 million from a business mogul Aliko Dangote but failed to share the money to the members.

He had earlier at a news briefing before the assembly went on Sallah recess, denied the allegation and threatened to sue an online media organisation that first published the report.

The deputy speaker, who read the letter, said Rurum resigned to protect his image due to allegations bordering on corruption leveled against him by some of the members.

NAN reports that shortly after the letter was read and accepted, the lawmakers elected the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Abdullahi Atta, as the new Speaker.

Mr. Atta, who represents Fagge constituency, was nominated for the position by Babangida Yakudima and Zubairu Mamuda and the nomination was unanimously accepted by the members including Rurum who was at the sitting.