A Kano State High Court on Tuesday reserved its ruling in the corruption case involving former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, and six others.
The Kano State Government had filed an eight-count charge against the defendants, accusing them of bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of public funds running into several billions of naira. The other defendants include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
At Tuesday’s hearing, lead counsel to Ganduje and his wife, Offiong Offiong, SAN, moved a motion for an extension of time and challenged the court’s jurisdiction. He informed the court that a preliminary objection dated November 18, 2024, had been filed along with a 28-paragraph affidavit and a written address. A reply on point of law dated April 4, 2025, was also submitted.
In response, counsel to the state government, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, opposed the motion, stating that the defendants’ application lacked merit. He presented a seven-paragraph counter-affidavit and a written address dated December 13, 2024, supported by several documentary exhibits.
Also appearing in court, Mr. Adekunle Taiye-Falola, representing the 3rd and 7th defendants, filed a preliminary objection dated October 18, 2024, backed by a 14-paragraph affidavit. He also submitted a further and better affidavit dated December 12, 2024, and a reply on point of law, urging the court to grant the application.
Similarly, counsel to the 5th defendant, Mr. Sunusi Musa, SAN, submitted a motion dated October 18, 2024, along with an affidavit, an exhibit, and a written address. He argued for the application to be granted, requesting substantial costs against the complainant.
Mr. Ashafa Yusuf, representing the 6th defendant, also filed a notice of preliminary objection dated September 9, 2024, supported by an 11-paragraph further and better affidavit dated February 17, and a reply on point of law.
For the 8th defendant, counsel Faruk Asekome presented a preliminary objection dated October 18, 2024. In response to the complainant’s counter-affidavit, he filed a further and better affidavit and a reply on point of law dated February 13, 2025, urging the court to rule in his client’s favor.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the motion for extension of time and adjourned the matter. She noted that the date for ruling on the preliminary objections would be communicated to all parties in due course.
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