Kano State House of Assembly has denied that the court has stopped it from continuing with the ongoing investigation of the case of alleged bribery against Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.
The chairman of the committee set up by the House, probing the case, Baffa Dan-Agundi, made this denial on Tuesday at a press conference.
Following a video published by the Daily Nigerian, an online publication, allegedly showing Ganduje collecting bribe from a contractor, the House of Assembly started a probe to confirm the veracity of the claim.
The publisher of the newspaper, Jaafar Jaafar, had upon invitation, appeared before the House of Assembly and maintained that the video he published was original.
The House also invited the governor who refused to appear.
The governor, however, sent two of his commissioners to represent him and with a statement denying the claim against him.
But in a new twist to the case, a Kano High Court, on Monday ruled that the status quo be maintained.
The order was sought by one Muhammad Zubair who represented Lawyers for Sustainable Democratisation of Nigeria.
According to Justice A.T. Badamasi, the House should maintain the status quo ante pending the determination of the motion on notice.
But addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the chairman of the House committee probing the alleged bribery, Baffa Dan-Agundi, said the probe would continue.
He said the House’ understanding of the court order appeared to be different from the interpretation that some were giving to it.
Said he: “We have received a court order that we should stop investigating the video clips showing Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, allegedly collecting bribe.
“We had a meeting today at the assembly and according to our understanding, the court didn’t stop us from investigating the allegation. We understand that the court only said the status quo be maintained. As such, we will continue with our work.
“The court set Monday for us to appear before it for hearing. We will respect the court and go with our documents that justify our position and jurisdiction to investigate this matter.”
