The high-profile trial of former Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje over alleged billions in bribery and fund misappropriation hit a snag on Tuesday, with the Kano High Court adjourning proceedings to November 26 after defense lawyers cited incomplete filings and pending appeals.
The Kano State Government, prosecuting the 11-count case against Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, son Umar Abdullahi Umar, and five companies, Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited arrived ready to open its case, with witnesses on standby.
However, defense counsels requested adjournments to address a raft of unresolved issues, including improper service of a "further and better affidavit" dated July 17, 2025, pending motions backed by an affidavit from May 21, 2025, an application for stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal, and a notice of preliminary objection.
Prosecution counsel Adeola Adedipe (SAN) pushed back forcefully: “My Lord, the prosecution is fully prepared to proceed. Our witnesses are present, and we are ready to open our case. We urge the court to dismiss the respondents’ applications and allow the matter to go on.”
Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, representing Ganduje, his wife, and son, countered: “My Lord, we are not ready. We have filed our further and better affidavit dated and filed on July 17, 2025. Although we have served the parties, service has not been properly effected. We seek an adjourned date to regularize this.”
Chief M. N. Duru (SAN), for the third and seventh defendants, echoed the plea:
“We have filed our processes and request that the matter be adjourned to enable proper hearing.”Sunusi Musa (SAN), for the fifth defendant, highlighted the appellate hurdle:
“We have a pending appeal and have applied for a stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal. Until that is determined, we are unable to proceed with the substantive matter.”
Abubakar Ahmad, for the sixth defendant, revealed a fresh notice of preliminary objection, while Abdulrazaq A. Ahmed, for the eighth defendant, noted the session was expected to be a mere mention.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, presiding, ordered all parties to file and serve their pending motions ahead of the next date: “All parties are hereby ordered to file and serve their pending motions before the next date. The court expects full compliance.”
The case, which accuses the defendants of conspiracy, bribery, and diverting public funds worth billions of naira during Ganduje's tenure as governor, has captivated the nation as a test of anti-corruption resolve under President Bola Tinubu's administration.
It stems from a state anti-corruption probe revived after the Kano State House of Assembly's impeachment push against Ganduje, now the APC National Chairman.
Ganduje has denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated. The trial's delays have fueled criticism from transparency advocates, who fear protracted legal maneuvers could dilute accountability.
The court will reconvene on November 26 for hearings on the applications, with the prosecution vowing to press forward.
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