by Dolapo Adelana

The Kano Emirate Council has said the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, spent N37 million on telephone calls in three years while two bullet-proof cars were purchased for him at the cost of N142.8 million.

The Walin Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir, who spoke on behalf of the council said the two Rolls Royce cars were purchased for the emir by his friends.

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According to him, on the issue of N37 million spent on phone calls, “it is true that the sum of N37,054,196.06 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.

“Majority of the charges are that of roaming, which is normal. The telephones charges of the palace are paid by the council, particularly when it comes within the provision of the budget.”

He said the purchase of the N142.8 million bullet-proof cars received the approval of the state government.

“This was as a result of the attack on the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, on his way back from Murtala Muhammed Mosque to the palace.

“The sum of N108 million was paid to the children of the late emir by the council, in respect of the late emir’s personal cars inherited by the present emir. The cars now form part of the emirate council’s fleet in the palace,” he said.

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He added, “The sum of N152,627,723 was paid to Dabo Gate for the procurement of furniture for the palace. After the demise of the emir, all his belongings, including the furniture, were removed and given to his children in accordance with Islamic injunction.”

On allegations that the council spent N15,458,660 on travels, the Walin Kano said the money was used for the construction and renovation of the Fadancin Dare wing of the palace.

The council also admitted raising two vouchers of N6,993,203 and N5,560,235, totalling N12,559,435 to Western Union, being the cost of air tickets for the emir’s entourage, “excluding the emir who used to pay for his ticket.”

The Walin Kano, also denied allegations that the council spent billions of naira on chartered flights, adding that the council only chartered flight twice for the emir’s movement to Sokoto and Benin City.

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According to him, “the council chartered an air flight twice for His Highness for the following trips: In September 2014 to Sokoto, when the emir paid a traditional homage (Mubaya’a) to the Sultan of Sokoto after his turbaning as Emir of Kano and the council spent N4,651,000.

“In January 2015 for the trip to Benin for his installation as chancellor of the University of Benin and it cost  N9,071,000. All the trips were made as a result of lack of scheduled flight at that time  and it cost the council the sum of N13,722,00 as against alleged N9,071,000.”

He added that the Emirate Council received  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.”

“The Emirate Council should have received almost triple of this amount, in accordance with the law establishing Emirate Council fund of 2004,” he said.