Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s application to halt the investigation into the alleged dollar bribery videos has been scheduled for hearing on July 21 by Justice A.M. Liman at the Federal High Court in Kano.
The Kano state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) had previously invited Ganduje to provide explanations regarding the viral videos that purportedly showed him accepting kickbacks in US Dollar notes from a contractor.
In response, Ganduje’s lawyers filed an application to protect his fundamental human rights, including the right to a fair hearing, privacy, and property ownership.
On July 7, the court granted an ex-parte motion restraining the PCACC and other parties from harassing or summoning the former governor pending the hearing and determination of the application.
During the latest court session on July 14, the PCACC’s counsel, Usman Fari, informed the court that the matter was not yet ready for hearing as the respondents were served with the court process on July 10, and they have five working days to respond, in accordance with court rules.
The respondents in the suit include the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector General of Police, Commission of Police (Kano), the State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Attorney General of the Federation, and the Attorney General of Kano State.
All parties, including Ganduje’s counsel, the Attorney General of Kano State, and the SSS, agreed with the PCACC’s position. Consequently, Justice Liman adjourned the case to July 21 for the hearing.
In a related development, Dr. Ahmad Garba Kofar Wambai, who sought to join the suits as a co-applicant with Ganduje, withdrew his application after the PCACC lawyer highlighted that the ex-parte order already covered Kofar Wambai and other former governor’s appointees.
The PCACC lawyer also mentioned that the order had hindered the commission’s activities.
