Garo’s appointment as Kano deputy governor will stall N57.4b corruption trial – Lawyer

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

A frontline legal practitioner, Bar. Usman Bello has raised concern over plans by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to appoint former Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo, as his Deputy, following the resignation of Comrade Aminu Abdusallam Gwarzo, insisting that such move may stall the N57.4 billion corruption case hanging around his neck.

Our Correspondent reports that Garo served as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs under former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Bar. Bello who spoke to journalists in Kano on Tuesday, expressed surprise that the same government that dragged Garo and others to court over corruption allegations is planning to appoint him as Deputy Governor.

According to him, if Garo emerged the Deputy Governor, indications are ripe that the case would be swept under the carpet as a result of the immunity the office will accord him.

Bar. Bello warned that, “Murtala Sule Garo’s potential emergence as Deputy Governor in the lead-up to the 2027 elections could halt proceedings in the ₦57.4 billion corruption case against him due to constitutional immunity.”

According to him, “granting immunity to a sitting defendant could affect the pace of ongoing trials, though it does not imply guilt or innocence.”

Bar. Bello further noted that, “if Garo becomes Deputy Governor, he will enjoy immunity under Section 308 of the Nigerian Constitution. This would temporarily halt proceedings against him while he remains in office.

“The timing of the nomination is troubling, especially given the scale of the allegations and the stage of the trial.

“The timing of any appointment amid ongoing trials should be carefully weighed. Accountability and transparency must remain central in all decisions.”

Recall that Garo is currently standing trial alongside former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and others over allegations involving the diversion of local government funds amounting to more than ₦57.4 billion.