A Kano State High Court on Tuesday dismissed the application filed by the former Governor of the state and current national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear their case of alleged bribery and misappropriation.
Recall that the Kano State Government instituted an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of Naira against Ganduje, and his wife Hafsat Umar.
Others charged alongside the former Kano Governor are Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, in her ruling on Tuesday struck out the defendants’ preliminary objections, describing them as incompetent and citing relevant legal authorities.
Adamu-Aliyu held that the charges filed on May 13, 2024, against the defendants were competent to be tried.
The judge ruled that the case should proceed to trial in the absence of Ganduje and six others standing trial.
She also issued a summon to the sixth defendant, Lamash Properties Limited, and adjourned the matter until July 30 and July 31, 2025 for hearing.
It would be recalled that earlier, counsel to Ganduje, wife, and Umar, Mrs Lydia Oluwakemi Oyewo, had filed a preliminary objection dated November 18, 2024, challenging the jurisdiction of the court and urged the court to quash all charges against the defendants.
Counsel to the state, Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN, filed a reply to the notice of preliminary objection dated October 22, 2024, addressing all the respondents.
Adedipe prayed the court to dismiss the respondents’ applications for lacking merit.
Counsel to the 3rd and 7th defendant, Mr M. N. Duru, SAN, filed a motion on notice on preliminary objection dated October 18, 2024, supported by a 14 paragraph affidavit and a written address.
“We urge the court to grant the application as prayed,” Duru said.
Counsel to the 5th defendant, Mr Muhammad Shehu, also filed a motion on notice on preliminary objection dated October 18, 2024, and urged the court to grant the application with substantial costs against the complainant.
Counsel to the 6th respondent, Mr Abubakar Ahmad, filed a notice of preliminary objection dated September 9, 2024, supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit and a written address.
Also, counsel to the 8th defendant, Faruk Asekome, filed a notice of preliminary objection dated October 18, 2024, supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and a written address, urging the court to grant the application.
