Sanusi II Inherited N1.893bn, Not N4bn – Emirate Council

The Kano Emirate clarified yesterday that the Emir, Muhammad Sanusi II, inherited the sum N1.893 billion and not N4 billion as being alleged.

The council described as baseless the allegation that the Emir of Kano inherited the sum of N4 billion and squandered it.

At the press conference held in the Emir’s  palace on Monday, the council noted specifically that the sum of N1. 893.378.927 was the exact amount Sanusi II inherited from his predecessor, the late Emir Ado Bayero.

Addressing journalists on the issue, Walin Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir Wali, denied reports that the Emirate squandered  N6 billion inherited from the deceased monarch,  insisting that the allegations are untrue.

He said, “Before the appointment of His Highness, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11, CON, the Kano Emirate Council had the sum of N2, 875, 168 and 431.17 under various Banks as Fixed Deposit Accounts, out of which N981, 784, 503.79 was withdrawn and used during the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero on February 7, 2014 for the payment of Ado Bayero Royal City Project, leaving a balance of N1, 893, 378, 927.38 with various banks”.

The Kano Emirate council disclosed that the sum N152, 627,723.00 was paid to Dabo Gate to facilitate the procurement of furniture for the Palace. Wali said, “After the demise of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, Peace Be Upon him, all his belongings, including the furniture, were removed and distributed to his heirs in accordance with Islamic injunction.

“The sum of N108 million was also paid to the heirs of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero by the Emirate Council in respect of his personal cars inherited by the present Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11. The cars now form part of Kano Emirate Council fleet of vehicles in the Palace”.

On the allegation that the  Emirate exhausted N15, 458,660.00 on travels, the council explained that the money was spent on the renovation of Fadancin Dare wing axis of the palace.

The council conceded to raising two vouchers of N6, 993, 203.00 and N5, 560, 235.00 totaling N12, 559, 435.00 through Western Union, being the cost of Air tickets for the Emir’s entourage, “excluding the Emir who use to pay for his ticket”.

The Emirate further described as false the allegation that the Emirate Council spent billions of Naira on the chartered flight, saying since the ascendancy of Emir Sanusi II,  the Emirate council embarked on securing the services of a  chartered flight only twice for the Emir’s movement to Sokoto and Benin City.

Walin Kano noted: “The Council chartered flight only twice for His Highness for the following trips: In September, 2014 to Sokoto when the Emir paid a traditional homage (Mubaya’a) to Sultan of Sokoto after his turban as Emir of Kano, which the Council spent N4, 651, 000.00 and in January 2015 to Benin for his installation as Chancellor of Benin University and it cost the Emirate Council N9, 071, 000.00.

“All the trips were made as a result of lack of schedule flight at that time to make this important and historical trips and it cost the Council the sum of N13, 722, 00.00 as against alleged N9, 071, 000.00. Two bulletproof cars were purchased for the Emir at the cost of N142, 800, 000.00.  The purchase was based on the advice and approval of the state government.

“This was as a result of an attack on the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Bayero on his way back from Murtala Muhammad Mosque to the Palace”.

The Emirate council revealed  that the sum of N154, 873, 000.00 was spent for the purchase and substitution of vehicles that were destroyed when the Emir’s convoy was attacked by insurgents on his way from Murtala Muhammad Mosque back to the Palace.

It also insisted that the two Rolls-Royce executive cars for Emir Sanusi II were purchased by his friends.

On the cost of phone calls which allegedly cost N37, 054, 192.06, the Emirate said,  “It is true that the sum of N37, 054, 192.06 was paid to Airtel due to the fact that the Emir has been identified with only one local mobile phone which he uses within and outside the country.

“The majority of the charges are that of roaming which are normal. The telephones charges of the palace are upset by the Council, particularly when it comes within the provision of the budget”.

On grant received from the state, Walin Kano said, “The Emirate Council actually received the sum of N1, 727, 938, 660.42 as grants from the state government between August 30, 2014 and March 1, 2017, over and above the alleged figure of N1, 672, 953, 660.00.

“The Emirate Council should have received almost triple of this amount, in accordance with the law establishing Emirate Council fund of 2004. From 2012 to date, the Council has been denied of this contribution where the sum of N1, 142, 938, 660.42 was spread and released over a period of two years i.e. 2014 and 2015, with an average monthly release of N23, 811, 222.09. The release is for the year 2012.

“From 2016 to date, the contribution started to improve from the average of N23 million per month to N40 million and the Council received the sum of N585 million within 13 months.

“This amount covered the period of 2013 and part of 2014 which brings the sum of N1, 727,938,660.42 as total amount received between 30/07/2014 to 01/03/2017 as earlier mentioned. From our calculations, between January 2012 to September 2016 the sum of N6, 527,013,061.00 has been held by the state government”.

Accordingly, Wali stressed that Emir Sanusi II, on assumption of office, inherited  N1, 893, 378, 927.38 contrary to N4 billion allegedly being speculated.

Source: Leadership