Kano State High Court on Monday stalled the hearing in the alleged bribery and misappropriation case involving former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar and six others over their inability to file pending applications.
The Kano State Government has filed an 11-count charge against Mr Ganduje and his co-defendants bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of public funds running into billions of naira.
Others charged alongside Ganduje and his wife are Abubakar Bawuro, Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
At the hearing, prosecution counsel Adeola Adedipe told the court that the state was ready to open its case as witnesses were already present.
“Our witnesses are present, and we are ready to open our case. We urge the court to dismiss the respondents’ applications and allow the matter to go on,” he said.
Counsel to Ganduje, his wife and son, Lydia Oyewo, however, said they were not ready to proceed as service of their newly filed documents had not been properly effected.
“We have filed our further and better affidavit dated July 17, 2025. Although we have served the parties, service has not been properly effected. We seek an adjourned date to regularize this,” she said.
Counsel to the 3rd and 7th defendants, M. N. Duru, told the court that his clients had filed a motion supported by a further affidavit dated May 21 and sought adjournment for proper hearing.
Counsel to the 5th defendant, Sunusi Musa, informed the court that his team had filed an application for a stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal.
“We have a pending appeal and have applied for a stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal. Until that is determined, we are unable to proceed,” he said.
Counsel to the 6th defendant, Abubakar Ahmad, said they had filed a notice of preliminary objection, while counsel to the 8th defendant, Abdulrazaq Ahmed, said they believed the case was only for mention since the earlier hearing date was shifted.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu expressed displeasure over the repeated delays and directed all parties to ensure that their pending motions were duly filed and served before the next sitting.
“All parties are hereby ordered to file and serve their pending motions before the next date. The court expects full compliance,” the judge ruled.
The case was adjourned to November 26, for the hearing of all pending applications.
