EXCLUSIVE: EFCC goes after Ahmadu Bello's grandson, as Sultan rebuffs calls to intervene

- An investigation has been launched against Alhaji Hassan Danbaba

- Alhaji Hassan Danbaba is said to to have enriched himself illegaly

- It is alleged that Danbaba allegedly partook of the illegal sharing of Paris Club refunds

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opened investigation into alleged corrupt enrichment by Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, a grandson of former Premier of Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto.

He is accused of partaking in the illegal sharing of funds from the Paris Club refunds as a consultant, and at the same collecting money worth millions of Naira from Taraba state Government for a contract he has so far refused to implement.

The Taraba contract, issued to him by late Danbaba Suntai, was abandoned after Suntai got involved in a plane crash in Yola in 2012.

The EFCC is acting on a petition signed by some Taraba indigenes.

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In efforts to truncate the investigation, the accused sought to involve the Sultanate Council, but his efforts were thwarted by the Sultan who insisted that the Palace would have nothing to do with the issue.

A source involved in the issue revealed that Sultan's refusal to get involved in the fraud case led to the accused walk out on Senior Counselors and other Kingmakers during a recent meeting at the Palace.

"As you may be aware, Danbaba is contesting for the title of Marafan Sokoto in the Palace with former Minister of Youth, Inuwa Abdulkadir.

"When the contest got heated, with counter accusations and law suits, the Sultan sought to broker peace and directed former Governor of old Sokoto State, Malam Yahaya Abdulkarim.

"After the peace parley, EFCC wrote to Danbaba requesting he appears before them to explain his dubious role in the Paris Club refunds saga, and to brief them on the contract he abandoned in Taraba after collecting funds.

"Sensing the opportunity to involve the Sultanate Council, he asked the Kingmakers to intervene and seek a soft landing for him. That effort was rebuffed, and it was made clear to him that the Palace will not be involved in his personal dealings.

"He was advised to allow the law take its course. He was told that if he was innocent of the charges as claimed, he has no reason to fear.

"He then flared up and walked out on the meeting, threatening the Sultan and warning that he may not last long on his seat if he can't stand by his close associates," a source revealed.

While many in Taraba are not happy by his refusal to implement the contract given to him, they equally expressed anger at his decision to abandon the state immediately after the late Suntai got involved in the crash.

"That's inhuman," the source revealed.

In a similar vein, a Sokoto state Sharia Court recently issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a Senior Councillor in the Sultanate Council of Sokoto and Magajin Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba.

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The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Justice Umar Sifawa, gave the order in a ruling on a motion filed by the National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), North-West, Inuwa Abdulkadir.

Abdulkadir had dragged Mr. Danbaba, the grandson of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello, to court for alleged defamation of character.

He alleged that Mr. Danbaba had in a publication in August, 2016, described his late father as a "slave bought by one Gwaggo, for two shillings”.

The complainant had told the court that Mr. Danbaba said that he (Abdulkadir) did not take adequate care of his late mother.

The respondent had filed a notice of appeal on the ground that the court had erred by issuing a summon on March 13 and March 22, giving him only two days to appear before it for his defence.

The motion on notice filed by Mr. Danbaba’s counsel, Yusuf Dankofa, also said the court breached the appellant’s right to fair hearing and fair trial.

Below is NAIJ.com video in which Nnamdi Kanu addresses followers in Isiama Afara, Abia state.