Amnesty International has voiced serious concerns regarding the persistent harassment and intimidation of Muhuyi Magaji RiminGado, a Kano-based lawyer and former chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC). RiminGado had been actively investigating and prosecuting allegations of widespread corruption linked to the previous administration in Kano State, headed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The human rights organization reported on its X account that RiminGado was forcefully arrested by a truckload of heavily armed police officers. These officers were allegedly acting on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), storming his law firm in Kano on a Friday. Amnesty International warned that such actions signify a shrinking civic space and a dangerous escalation in the misuse of security forces for political ends. Lawyer Ridwan Zakariyya, an eyewitness, confirmed RiminGado's arrest and subsequent transportation to the Kano command headquarters in Bompai. Another colleague, Auwalu Ibrahim, described the arrest as occurring in a “Gestapo manner” and confirmed that the arresting team was from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, a detail later confirmed by the Kano police headquarters, although the local police spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, initially stated he had not been briefed.

The arrest of Muhuyi Magaji RiminGado occurred as he was prosecuting former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his children in a multibillion-naira dry port ownership scandal. RiminGado had been appointed by the state government to lead the prosecution. The Kano State Government had filed criminal charges against Mr. Ganduje, his three children (Abdulaziz Abdullahi Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Muhammad Abdullahi Umar), and an aide, Abubakar Bawuro, along with former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hassan Bello, and Ganduje’s family lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda, in the state high court.

A PREMIUM TIMES investigation revealed critical details of the scandal, exposing how Mr. Ganduje allegedly transferred the state government’s 20% stake in the Dala Inland Dry Port to private hands, making his children and aide co-owners of the company. This transfer reportedly occurred before a contract worth more than N4 billion was awarded to provide infrastructure for the project. The state government accused the defendants of conspiring to fraudulently transfer 80% of the Dala Inland Dry Port shares, including Kano State’s 20% equity, to private ownership under the fictitious name “City Green Enterprise.”

Mr. Ganduje, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, is scheduled to appear before the state high court on December 18. He and his co-defendants face a ten-count charge that includes criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, conflict of interest, and abuse of office. The prosecution further alleges that the defendants diverted over ₦4.49 billion of Kano State funds to execute infrastructure projects such as a double carriageway, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the dry port for their personal and family benefit. They are accused of leveraging their official roles to redirect public resources, violating financial and constitutional regulations. Key witnesses, including government officials allegedly manipulated to sign documents for these fraudulent transactions, have been assembled by the prosecution.

The PREMIUM TIMES investigation meticulously detailed the changes in the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited’s ownership structure. Incorporated on December 8, 2003, with Ahmad Rabiu and his son Rabiu Ahmad Rabiu as initial directors, the board expanded in 2005. However, on March 5, 2020, during an Annual General Meeting held at its Zaria Road office, Mr. Ganduje’s three children and his longtime associate, Abubakar Bawuro, replaced Mr. Rabiu’s son and all other directors elected in 2005. Crucially, at this meeting, the Kano State Government was removed as a co-owner of the dry port. An “ordinary resolution” unanimously allotted five million shares each to Ganduje’s three children, Mr. Rabiu, and Mr. Bawuro, each receiving 20% of the total 25 million shares. This new structure effectively removed the Kano State Government from the company's ownership. The state government maintains that due process was not followed in this divestment, accusing Mr. Ganduje of abusing his office to undermine the state's interests.