Kano State government on Sunday said the video footage allegedly showing Governor Abdullahi Ganduje collecting bribe was cloned and doctored.
The government said it will file a criminal case against an online publication, Daily Nigerian and its publisher, Jaafar Jaafar, for defamation of character.
The online publication published an exclusive video footage of the Kano governor allegedly involved in an inappropriate conduct. The video went viral immediately after its release, eliciting mixed reactions.
A statement by the Commissioner of Information Muhammed Garba said the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state “is challenging the implausible and eccentric posting of the cloned video that went viral in a court of law considering the gravity of the caricature, which indicates the extent to which mischievous elements can go to discredit public figures by wielding non-existent scandals against them.”
The statement said “a mere observation of the cloned video clearly shows that the video is doctored and disjointed with no material facts or evidence to prove the allegations, other than a callous attempt to tarnish the hard-earned image of the office and the person of the governor.”
“The Governor of Kano state wishes to once again emphatically debunk the allegation of receiving gratification of $5 million or any amount whatsoever from any person or body.
“It is important to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that the alleger is a serial blackmailer and extorter. We are also aware that the hidden motive is to reduce the popularity of the Governor and consequently affect the anticipated quantum of APC votes from Kano in the 2019 general elections.”
