The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered it’s monitory unit to produce Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, at the force headquarters over alleged criminal defamation as a result of Abdullahi Ganduje’s suspension by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his ward in Kano.
SolaceBase reports that in 2024, the APC exco of Ganduje ward in Dawakin Tofa local government of Kano State suspended the party’s national chairman from being a member over what they described as anti-party activities and lack of payment of the party dues.
This decision was alleged to be masterminded by the Kano Governor’s spokesperson Mr. Sanusi Bature, who happened to be from the same locality.
In a letter dated 23rd May, 2025, with file no. CR/3000/IGP-SEC/MU/ADM/14/ABJ/VOL 118/57, addressed to the Secretary to the State Government, Kano state, the IGP demanded the release of Dawakin-Tofa to appear before one SP Mojirode B. Obisiji on Thursday, 29th May, 2025.
According to invitation letter signed by head, IGP Monitory Unit, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Akin Fakorede, addressed to SSG, “the police is investigating a case of Criminal Defamation of Characters, Intentional Insult, Impersonation and Conduct likely to Cause Breach of Peace, reported to the IGP in which the above mentioned appointee attached to the office of the Executive Governor of Kano state as Chief Press Secretary featured prominently.
“In view of the above, you are requested to release the said Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa to report for an interview with the undersigned, through SP. Mojirode B. Obisiji on Thursday, 29th May, 2025 by 1200hrs at the first floor of Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja, to shed more light on the allegation raised. DCP Akin Fakorede.
Recalled that the IGP, in December 2024, issued a similar order with the deployment of operatives of the IGP’s monitoring unit to arrest the Governor’s spokesperson and produce him to the Force Intelligence Headquarters, Abuja.
It was gathered that the police is intensifying efforts to arrest Dawakin-Tofa for allegedly being involved in the suspension of the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje by the Ganduje ward Exco in 2024.
The controversy erupted after Ganduje alleged a conspiracy spearheaded by Dawakin-Tofa, who hails from the same local government as himself, and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)-led Kano State Government, where the APC chairman alleged Dawakin-Tofa was behind his suspension, a move he described as an attempt to cripple his political influence.
The animosity between Dawakin-Tofa and Ganduje dates back to 2015 when Ganduje, as governor-elect, reportedly ordered Dawakin-Tofa’s arrest over his opposition during that year’s gubernatorial election.
Subsequently, a High Court granted a restraining order against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), DSS, and other security agencies from arresting Dawakin-Tofa, the spokesperson of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The interim injunction, granted on 12th December 2024, shields Dawakin-Tofa from “harassment, detention, and intimidation” by the IGP, DSS, and other security agencies.
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The order was also extended to the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 1, Commissioner of Police Kano, SP Mojirade Obisiji, DCP Akin Fakorede, Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps, and others.
According to suit No. K M2500/2024, the order of the Court prohibits any action that could infringe upon Dawakin-Tofa’s fundamental rights to liberty, dignity, and freedom of movement.
The court also directed that all legal documents be served to the respondents, including the APC and senior police officers, through special bailiffs.
Later, the Kano State High Court dismissed Dawakin Tofa’s case against the APC Ag. National Chairman and the Inspector General of Police.
Dawakin Tofa’s lawyer, Barrister. HM Muhammad had already appealed the judgement at Kano division of the appeal court in May 2025.
The Governor’s spokesperson was a key opposition figure from Ganduje’s home town who contributed immensely to Ganduje’s Abba losing his House of Reps seat for APC in the 2023 elections.
The battle between NNPP and APC in Kano ahead of 2027 is centred around the local politics at Ganduje’s hometown who is determined to place his son “Abba Ganduje” and the Kano emirate tussle between the 14th and 15th Emirs of Kano, with both Abdullahi Ganduje and Sanusi Bature deeply involved, trying to overpower one another for the benefit of their respective camps of Gandujiyya and Kwankwasiyya.
