A Kano State High Court has scheduled February 13, 2025, for hearings on all pending preliminary objections in the bribery and misappropriation case involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven others.
The Kano State government has filed an eight-count charge against Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, and several associates, including Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited. The charges involve allegations of bribery and the misappropriation of billions of naira in public funds.
During the latest court session, Ganduje’s counsel, M.N. Duru, SAN, representing Offiong Offiong, SAN, requested the withdrawal of an application dated October 21, seeking facilities and witness statements. Duru stated, “We urge the court to strike out this application. We intend to proceed with a new application dated November 18.”
Adeola Adedipe, SAN, representing the applicants, argued against striking out Ganduje’s withdrawal application, instead urging the court to dismiss it. Adedipe noted, “We have filed our counter-affidavit dated November 15, 2024, along with additional responses.”
Counsel for other defendants presented various motions and objections. Mr. M.N. Duru, representing the 3rd and 7th defendants, filed further affidavits and motions. Mr. Sunusi Musa, representing the 5th defendant, sought an adjournment for corrections. Mr. Abubakar Ahmed, representing the 6th respondent, submitted a preliminary objection supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit, while Faruk Asekome, counsel for the 8th defendant, filed a preliminary objection dated November 10, 2024.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu overruled the objections and struck out Ganduje’s application, setting February 13, 2025, as the date for hearing all preliminary objections.
