The Kano state Emirate Council says the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi
II spent N37 million on telephone calls since he ascended the throne
three years ago. The Walin Kano and spokesperson of the emirate council,
Mahe Bashir, disclosed this to newsmen while reacting to reports that
the Emir has spent as much as N6 billion since he was enthroned in June
2014.
According to Mahe, the monarch paid N37 million to Airtel to enable him make calls which most times are international.
“It is true that the sum of N37,054,196.06 was paid to Airtel due to the
fact that the emir has been identified with only one local mobile phone
which he uses within and outside the country. Majority of the charges
are that of roaming, which is normal. The telephones charges of the
palace are paid by the council, particularly when it comes within the
provision of the budget.”
Mahe also disclosed that on the advise of the state government, N142.8
million was used to purchase the Emir's bullet-proof cars.
“This was as a result of the attack on the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado
Bayero, on his way back from Murtala Muhammed Mosque to the palace. The
sum of N108 million was paid to the children of the late emir by the
council, in respect of the late emir’s personal cars inherited by the
present emir.
The cars now form part of the emirate council’s fleet in the palace” he
said
The Walin Kano also disclosed that about N152 million was spent to
purchase furniture for the palace because those used by the Emir before
Sanusi were removed and given to his children according to Islamic
injunction.
“The sum of N152,627,723 was paid to Dabo Gate for the procurement of
furniture for the palace. After the demise of the emir, all his
belongings, including the furniture, were removed and given to his
children in accordance with Islamic injunction,” he said
The emirate spokesperson also dismissed allegations that the council
spents billions of naira on chartered flight, adding that the council
only chartered flight twice for the emir’s movement to Sokoto and Benin
City.
"The council chartered an air flight twice for His Highness for the
following trips: In September 2014 to Sokoto, when the emir paid a
traditional homage (Mubaya’a) to the Sultan of Sokoto after his
turbaning as Emir of Kano and the council spent N4,651,000.
In January 2015 for the trip to Benin for his installation as chancellor
of the University of Benin and it cost N9,071,000. All the trips were
made a as a result of lack of scheduled flight at that time and it
cost the council the sum of N13,722,00 as against alleged N9,071,000.”
