The palace of Nigeria’s Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, has denied allegations that the influential Muslim leader has embezzled government money allocated to the palace since his ascent to the throne in 2015.
The anti-corruption agency in northern Kano state said earlier that it was investigating corruption allegations against Mr Sanusi.
Palace financial secretary Mahe Bashir Wali denied at a press conference that the emir had bought executive cars, including a Rolls Royce, with government money.
The vehicles had been given to Mr Sanusi by friends as a gift, he said.
Mr Wali also denied that the emir used government funds to fly in privately-charted planes, saying he did this with his own money.
The palace would co-operate with the investigation, and would present to the anti-corruption agency evidence of all expenses since Mr Sanusi’s appointment.
The emir also denied embezzling money the palace inherited from his predecessor, Al-Haji Ado Bayero, Mr Wali said.
The former emir died in 2015 at the age of 83.