A Kano State High Court has adjourned the ongoing case of alleged bribery and misappropriation against the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, and six others. The court set April 15, 2025, as the date for hearing all pending preliminary objections in the case.
The Kano State Government filed an eight-count charge against Ganduje and the other defendants, accusing them of bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira. The case also involves Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, and three companies: Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
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Legal Arguments Delay Proceedings
At Thursday’s hearing, the state’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court he was prepared to proceed with the case. However, various defense lawyers sought additional time to regularize their legal documents.
Adedipe filed a motion on February 5 requesting an extension of time to validate the preliminary objection filed by Ganduje, his wife, and Umar. Their counsel, Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, also confirmed she was ready to proceed.
However, Adekunle Taiye-Falola, representing the third and seventh defendants, informed the court that he was not ready to move his preliminary objection. “My lord, we filed our application for an extension of time dated December 12, 2024, to reply to our further and better affidavit on points of law. We need to regularize our processes,” he explained.
Similarly, Sunusi Musa, SAN, representing the fifth defendant, submitted a motion on January 7 requesting an extension of time. He backed his application with a ten-paragraph affidavit and a written address. He urged the court to grant his request.
Abubakar Ahmed, representing the sixth defendant, stated that he had already filed a notice of preliminary objection on September 9, 2024, supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit, and was ready to proceed.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Aliyu-Nasarawa, counsel for the eighth defendant, told the court he was not ready to move his application. He added that he intended to file a response on points of law.
Judge Grants Time Extensions, Sets New Hearing Date
After hearing all submissions, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the applications for an extension of time and rescheduled the case for April 15, 2025.
This high-profile case has generated significant public interest, as the allegations involve large sums of public funds. The adjournment means Nigerians will have to wait a little longer to hear the next legal developments in the case.