2 days Ago By Ado Oyeyemi
A Kano State High Court on Tuesday adjourned its ruling on the preliminary objections raised in the ongoing bribery and misappropriation of public funds case involving former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and seven others. The case, which involves allegations of bribery amounting to $413,000 and N1.38 billion, was filed by the Kano State Government.
The defendants named in the case include Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, their son Umar, and five other individuals: Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited. During Tuesday’s proceedings, Ganduje’s lawyer, Offiong Offiong (SAN), sought an extension of time and informed the court that a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction had been filed. He added that the objection was supported by a 28-paragraph affidavit and written submissions, with a reply filed on April 4, 2025.
In response, the state government’s lawyer, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), filed a counter-response, supporting the preliminary objection and submitting a seven-paragraph counter-affidavit and several exhibits. He asked the court to dismiss the objections, claiming they were without merit. Counsel for the third and seventh defendants, Adekunle Taiye-Falola, and the fifth defendant, Sunusi Musa (SAN), also filed their preliminary objections, each supported by affidavits and written addresses.
They, too, requested the court to grant their applications. The sixth defendant’s lawyer, Ashafa Yusuf, and the eighth defendant’s lawyer, Faruk Asekone, also filed similar objections, supported by affidavits and further submissions, requesting that the court consider their applications. Presiding over the case, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the request for an extension of time and adjourned the matter.
A new date for ruling on the preliminary objections will be communicated to all parties in due course..
