topnaijanews Stay informed with the latest Nigerian news at your fingertips
The Kano State High Court has postponed the hearing of preliminary objections in the bribery and misappropriation case involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven other defendants to February 13, 2025.
The case, filed by the Kano State Government, centers on allegations of bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira.
The defendants include Ganduje’s wife, Hafsat Umar, and other individuals and entities: Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited. The eight-count charge has drawn significant public attention due to its scope and the high-profile figures involved.
During Wednesday’s session, the defense introduced multiple motions and applications, prompting Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu to adjourn for a consolidated hearing. Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) M.N. Duru, representing Ganduje and two other defendants, requested the withdrawal of a prior application dated October 21, while seeking to move a new application filed on November 18. He cited the need for corrections to referenced dates in their affidavit.
However, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, counsel for the applicants, opposed the withdrawal request, urging the court to dismiss it instead of striking it out.
“We have filed our counter affidavit dated November 15, 2024, and two additional counter affidavits dated October 18 and October 21. My Lord, we urge the court to dismiss the withdrawal application as it has not been moved,” Adedipe argued.
Justice Adamu-Aliyu ultimately struck out the withdrawal application and overruled objections raised by the applicants. She scheduled February 13, 2025, as the date for hearing all preliminary objections, signaling a crucial phase in the legal proceedings.
