The bitter legal fight over the multi-billion-naira Dala Inland Dry Port has taken a dramatic twist with the arrest of Ahmad Rabiu, a former managing director of the facility and a central witness in an ongoing criminal trial, as he attempted to leave Kano.
Rabiu, who also previously served as Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, was detained by operatives of the Kano State Police Command at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport while preparing to board an Air Peace flight to Abuja.
According to his aide, Hanif Umar, Rabiu was stopped by plainclothes officers and his flight was cancelled without prior warning. He was reportedly travelling with Aminu Dabo, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and a prominent political figure in the state.
The arrest has heightened tensions surrounding the prosecution of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and several co-defendants over the disputed transfer of ownership interests in the Dala Inland Dry Port, a project originally conceived as a strategic inland cargo hub to boost trade and industrial growth across northern Nigeria. The Kano State Government held equity in the project as part of that vision.
Disputes later erupted over the ownership structure of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited, with allegations that significant public interests were unlawfully handed over to private entities. Kano State subsequently filed criminal charges accusing Ganduje and others of conspiracy, misappropriation of public assets, breach of trust and conflict of interest.
Prosecutors allege that as much as 80 per cent of the port’s ownership, including the state’s 20 per cent equity, was fraudulently transferred to a private company known as City Green Enterprise. The state further claims that more than N4.49 billion in public funds earmarked for infrastructure such as access roads, electricity supply and perimeter fencing were diverted for private gain.
The case is being heard at the Kano State High Court, where Ganduje is standing trial alongside his former aide Abubakar Bawuro, lawyer Adamu Aliyu-Sanda and former Nigerian Shippers’ Council Executive Secretary Hassan Bello.
At the last hearing on 14 January, Ganduje challenged the validity of court documents served on him, arguing that the substituted service approved by the court was improper. Defence lawyers also opposed an application for an arrest warrant after Ganduje failed to appear in court.
Justice Yusuf Ubale adjourned proceedings until 23 February to hear outstanding preliminary objections. Rabiu’s detention has since stirred controversy, particularly as he had previously expressed fears for his safety after agreeing to testify for the prosecution.
State prosecutor Muhuyi Magaji warned that the incident could weaken the case, noting that multiple witnesses are expected to testify about alleged pressure on officials to sign documents enabling the disputed transfer of assets.