Failure To File Applications Stalls Hearing Of Ganduje’s Case

The hearing in the ongoing case of alleged bribery and misappropriation of public funds involving former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was on Monday stalled due to the failure of the defendants to file their pending applications before the Kano State High Court.

The Kano State Government had filed an 11-count charge against Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, and six others for alleged bribery, conspiracy, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira.

Other defendants in the case include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to the State Government, Mr. Adeola Adedipe (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution was ready to open its case, adding that witnesses were already in court. He urged the court to dismiss the respondents’ applications and allow the trial to proceed.

However, defence counsels for the various defendants pleaded for an adjournment, citing incomplete filings and pending motions before other courts.

Counsel to Ganduje, his wife, and son, Mrs. Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, told the court they were not ready as service of their further affidavit filed on July 17, 2025, had not been effected.

Similarly, Chief M. N. Duru (SAN), representing the 3rd and 7th defendants, and Mr. Sunusi Musa (SAN), counsel to the 5th defendant, both requested an adjournment, with Musa disclosing that an application for a stay of proceedings was pending before the Court of Appeal.

Other defence lawyers, including Mr. Abubakar Ahmad and Mr. Abdulrazaq A. Ahmed, also stated that their clients were not ready to proceed, having filed preliminary objections.

Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu directed all parties to file and serve their pending motions before the next sitting.

She thereafter adjourned the matter to November 26, 2025, for hearing of all pending applications.