Business
N6bn Kano Emirate Probe: ‘We’ve No Ulterior Motive’
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission said the ongoing probe of alleged ‘questionable expenditures and financial misappropriation’ in the Kano Emirate Council has no political motive.
The Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Mr Muhiyi Magaji, made the clarification in an interview with newsmen in Kano on Tuesday.
“The investigation is not in any way politically motivated but was aimed at getting to the root of the allegations,” Muhiyi said.
He said the decision by the commission to investigate the complaints or allegations was borne out of the need to ensure fairness.
The agency in carrying out the probe, is fulfilling its mandate as established by the law.
“I wonder why people are questioning the reason behind the investigation and at the same time trying to pre-empt what is being investigated,” Muhiyi said.
He said that no amount of pressure would deter the commission from carrying out its duties, not even from the state governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje.
“I will not succumb to any pressure not even from the governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. I will discharge my duties without fear or favour because I know I will account for my actions in the hereafter.
“Until and until the allegations of the whistleblowers are established or otherwise, people should not pre-empt the investigation,” said Muhiyi.
He called on Nigerians to continue to support the commission in the current fight against corruption in the state and the country at large in order to deepen good governance.
The Emirate Council is expected to honour the invitation of the state anti-graft agency on May 2 to explain how the alleged N6 billion was expended.
Recall that whistleblowers had written the commission over an alleged N6 billion expenditure incurred by the Emir of Kano, Mahammadu Sanusi II, since he ascended the throne in 2014.
“The commission is wading into the matter to establish whether or not Sections 120, 121 of the Constitution and Section 26 of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended) of Kano State, dealing with public expenditure, had been complied with,’’ said the chairman.
However, reacting to the development, the Kano Emirate Council on Monday said it spent N4,314,476,542.94 since the revered first class traditional ruler assumed the throne.
The Walin Kano and the emirate council’s Finance Councillor, Alhaji Mahe Bashir Wali, told newsmen at the Emir’s Palace that the council had from June 8, 2014 to April 11, 2017, spent N4,314,476,542.94, and not N6 billion as alleged.
According to him, N1,893,378,927.38 was the exact amount inherited by the Sanusi II.
Giving the breakdown of the expenditures done during Sanusi’s three years in office, Wali said out of the N1.8 billion he inherited, N152,627,723.00 was paid to Dabo Gate Company for the procurement of furniture for the palace.
“This is because after the demise of the late emir, all his belongings, including the furniture were removed and distributed to his heirs in accordance with Islamic injunction. Therefore new furniture was purchased for Emir Sanusi,” Wali said.
The senior councillor added that the sum of N108 million was paid to the family of late Emir Ado Bayero by the council in respect of the late emir’s personal cars inherited by the present emir. The cars now belong to the emirate council.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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