Emir Sanusi bribery allegation: Kano Speaker resigns

Emir Sanusi bribery allegation: Kano Speaker resigns

The storm is yet to blow away in the aborted probe of Muhammad Sanusi II, Emir of Kano.  Kabiru Rurum, the Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly, has  turned out the first major casualty as he resigned on Monday amidst allegation that he collected money to scuttle the investigation of the Emir.

Rurum resigned in a letter read at plenary by Ibrahim Chidariof, deputy speaker, who presided over the sitting on Monday, July 3.

The former speaker was alleged to have collected N100 million from Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote,  but failed to share the money to the members.

He had earlier at a news briefing before the assembly went on Sallah recess, denied the allegation and threatened to sue an online media group that first published the report.

The deputy speaker, who read the letter, said Rurum resigned to protect his image due to allegations bordering on corruption levelled against him by some of the members.

The allegation has caused a disquiet among the lawmakers with emissaries sent to some key members to persuade them but it seemed not to have worked as some members vowed to see to the impeachment of Rurum when plenary resumes after sallah.

Consequently, the lawmakers elected Abdullahi Atta, majority leader of the Assembly, as the new speaker. Atta, representing Fagge constituency, was nominated  by Babangida Yakudima and Zubairu Mamuda and the nomination was unanimously accepted by the members including Rurum who was at the sitting.