A Kano State High Court has scheduled Nov. 20, 2024, for the hearing of all pending applications in the ongoing case against the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven others.
The state government has brought an eight-count charge against Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, and other individuals and companies, including Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited. The case involves allegations of bribery, public funds misappropriation amounting to billions of naira.
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At Wednesday’s session, the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Adeola Adedipe (SAN), expressed readiness to proceed, stating, “My lord, we have filed our counter-affidavit, and one of our witnesses is present before the court, having traveled from Lagos State.”
However, Mr. Offiong Offiong (SAN), representing the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants, informed the court that they had not been served the preliminary objection and counter-affidavit. He requested a new date, saying, “My lord, we are not ready. We filed a time and facility application. We are asking for another date to move the application.”
Counsel for the 3rd and 7th defendants, Mr. Taye Falola, also noted that they had not been served with the relevant documents. “We filed our preliminary objection on motion on notice dated and filed Oct. 10, 2024. We humbly apply for another date for hearing,” he said.
Meanwhile, counsel for the 6th respondent, Mr. Nureini Jimoh (SAN), stated, “We are ready to proceed and move the application,” referencing his notice of preliminary objection dated July 9.
Counsel for the 5th and 8th defendants, Mr. Abdul Adamu (SAN) and Mr. Faruk Asekome, likewise reported that they had not received the necessary documents, asking for an adjournment.
Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu emphasized the importance of service of processes and overruled the plaintiff’s request to proceed. She then adjourned the matter until Nov. 20, 2024, for the hearing of all pending applications.
