By Suleiman Ibrahim
A Kano State High Court has reserved its ruling in the case of alleged bribery and misappropriation involving former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and seven others. The charges were brought forth by the Kano State Government, encompassing eight counts that involve bribery, misappropriation, and the diversion of public funds totaling billions of Naira.
Among those charged alongside Ganduje are his wife, Hafsat Umar, as well as Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
During Tuesday’s hearing, which addressed all pending applications, Ganduje’s counsel, Offiong Offiong SAN, requested an extension of time and urged the court to grant the application. He also submitted a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, supported by a 28-paragraph affidavit and a written address dated November 18, 2024.
In response, the state’s counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe SAN, submitted a reply to the preliminary objection, dated October 22, 2024, along with a seven-paragraph counter affidavit and a written address dated December 13, 2024, which included several supporting documents. Adedipe requested the court to dismiss the respondents’ applications, citing lack of merit.
Counsel for the third and seventh defendants, Adekunle Taiye-Falola, also filed a motion on notice regarding the preliminary objection, supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit and a written address. He countered the complainant’s affidavit with a further and better affidavit dated December 12, 2024, and urged the court to grant their application.
Additionally, Sunusi Musa SAN, representing the fifth defendant, submitted a similar motion on October 18, 2024, supported by an affidavit and written address, requesting the court to grant their application with substantial costs against the complainant.
Counsel for the sixth respondent, Ashafa Yusuf, filed a preliminary objection on September 9, 2024, supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit and a written address, along with a further and better affidavit dated February 17. He also requested the court to grant his application.
Faruk Asekone, counsel for the eighth defendant, filed a notice of preliminary objection on October 18, 2024, supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and a written address, and responded to the complainant’s counter-affidavit with a further and better affidavit dated February 13, 2025.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the application for an extension of time and adjourned the matter, with a ruling on the preliminary objections to be communicated to the parties at a later date.
NAN
