Senator faces Sharia Court hearing over N124.8m unpaid campaign payment
Senator Rufai Sani Hanga Faces Charge Over Alleged Unpaid Campaign Funds
KANO, Nigeria — Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, representing the Kano Central Senatorial District, is facing a charge of unpaid campaign funds at a Sharia court. The case was initiated at the Shahuci Upper Sharia Court regarding allegations of outstanding payments amounting to N124,800,070 for services rendered during his 2023 election campaign.
The suit was brought forward by Isa Ado Medoya and several others, who claim they fulfilled their responsibilities under an agreement during the senator’s campaign but have not yet received compensation.
During the court proceedings, presided over by Judge Muhammad Sani, the plaintiffs’ attorney, Barrister Abbas Sani Abubakar Mandawari, presented documentation intended to establish the completion of the contracted work. A request was made for additional time for further consultation with clients in order to organize supplementary materials.
The defense counsel opposed this request, arguing that the plaintiffs appeared unprepared to advance their case. They urged the court to dismiss the suit, citing the motion’s delay as an indication of insufficient diligence in prosecution.
In response, the court denied the motion to dismiss, allowing the plaintiffs extra time to prepare their case adequately. Judge Sani emphasized the importance of ensuring both parties have a fair opportunity to present their arguments.
The case has been adjourned until April 21, 2026, when the plaintiffs are expected to submit their complete documentation, at which point the defense will provide a formal response.
