By Ramatu Garba
A KANO State High Court on Wednesday fixed November 20 for hearing in pending applications in the ongoing case of alleged bribery and misappropriation against the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven others.
The state government instituted an eight-count charge bordering on bribery allegations, misappropriation and division of public funds running into billions of naira against Ganduje, alongside his wife, Hafsat Umar.
Others are Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
When the case came up for hearing of the 6th defendant preliminary objection, counsel to the state , Mr Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that he was not ready to proceed.
“My lord we have filed our counter affidavit and one of our witnesses is hear before the court all the way from Lagos State”
Counsel to Ganduje, how wife and Umar, Mr Offiong Offiong, SAN, told the court that he has not served the preliminary objection and the plaintiff’s counter affidavit.
“My lord we are not ready. We are asking for another date to move the application”
Counsel to the 3rd and 7th defendant, Mr Taye Falola, informed the court that he was yet to be served the applications and Counter affidavit.
“We filed our preliminary objection on motion on notice dated and filed Oct.10, 2024. We humbly apply for another date for hearing”
Counsel to the 6th respondent, Mr Nureini Jimoh, SAN, told the court that he filed a notice of preliminary objection dated July 9.
“We are ready to proceed and move the application”
Counsel to the 5th and 8th defendant, Abdul Adamu SAN, and Mr Faruk Asekome, said they have not been served with the preliminary objection as well as counter affidavit.
“We equally filed our notice of preliminary objection dated October 17 and filed October 18. My lord, we are also asking for another date”
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu said service of processes is very important and overruled the plaintiff’s application, and adjourned the matter until November 20 for hearing of all pending applications.
It be recalled that the court had on July 11, insisted that the trial of the defendants must continue even in their absence. (NAN)
