Absence of the former Kano State governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, alongside his wife, son, and five others stalled their arraignment in Wednesday before the Kano State High Court to stand trial on charges against them by the State government.
The respondents were absent in court to take their plea due to the inability of the prosecution to personally serve them with the charges.
Despite the Kano State Government’s preparation of 15 witnesses to testify, only one respondent was present in court on Wednesday.
LEADERSHIP reports that Ganduje who is the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), his wife, son, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd and Lesage General Enterprises were due to be arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on allegations of bribery, diversion and misappropriation of public funds, including the acceptance of bribes worth N1.3bn in United State Dollars, brought forth by the State government.
At the resumed hearing before Justice Usman Mallam Na’abba, only the 6th respondent through his counsel, Nureini Jimoh, was present in court while the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th respondents were absent.
Counsel to the Kano State Government, Barka. Y. A. Adamu, attempted to move an ex parte motion to serve the respondents through substituted means as they could not serve them personally.
However, Counsel to the 6th respondent, Bar. Nureini Jimoh, objected.
Jimoh asked the prosecution to “do their homework”, noting that there is no provision of service on criminal charges by substitute.
Consequently, the case was adjourned until April 29, 2024, pending resolution of the service issue.
