A KANO State High Court has dismissed the preliminary objection filed by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case of alleged bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds brought against him and others.
The Kano State Government had instituted an 11-count charge against Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, and six other defendants, including Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited. The charges border on conspiracy, bribery, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to billions of naira.
In her ruling, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu struck out the defendants’ objections, describing them as incompetent and citing relevant legal authorities. She affirmed that the charges filed on May 13, 2024, were valid and ordered the case to proceed to trial in the absence of Ganduje and the six other defendants. The court also issued a summons to the sixth defendant, Lamash Properties Limited, and adjourned the matter to July 30 and 31, 2025, for hearing.
Earlier, Mrs. Lydia Oluwakemi Oyewo, counsel to Ganduje, his wife, and Umar Abdullahi Umar, had filed a preliminary objection dated November 18, 2024, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and seeking the dismissal of all charges. However, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, countered with a reply dated October 22, 2024, urging the court to dismiss the defendants’ applications for lack of merit.
Other defense counsels, including Mr. M.N. Duru, SAN (representing the 3rd and 7th defendants), Mr. Muhammad Shehu (for the 5th defendant), Mr. Abubakar Ahmad (for the 6th defendant), and Mr. Faruk Asekome (for the 8th defendant), also filed preliminary objections, all of which were dismissed by the court. Justice Adamu-Aliyu upheld the prosecution’s argument, ruling that the case should proceed to full trial. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing. (NAN)
