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The inability of former Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat, and six others to file their pending applications on Monday stalled the hearing of their ongoing trial before a Kano State High Court.
The Kano State Government had filed 11-count charge against Ganduje and the others, bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds running into billions of Naira.
Those charged alongside the former governor include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
When the case was called up, Counsel to the State Government, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), informed the court that the prosecution was ready to open its case, adding that witnesses were already in court.
He, therefore, urged the judge to dismiss the defence applications and allow proceedings to continue.
However, Counsel to Ganduje, his wife, and son, Mrs. Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, said they were not ready to proceed, noting that their further and better affidavit filed on July 17, 2025, had not been properly served on all parties. She requested an adjournment.
Similarly, Counsel to the 3rd and 7th defendants, Chief M. N. Duru (SAN), said they had also filed a motion with a further affidavit dated May 21, 2025, and sought a new hearing date.
Counsel to the 5th defendant, Mr. Sunusi Musa (SAN), told the court that they had filed an application for a stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal, while Counsel to the 6th respondent, Mr. Abubakar Ahmad, said they had filed a notice of preliminary objection.
Also, Counsel to the 8th defendant, Mr. Abdulrazaq A. Ahmed, maintained that they believed the matter was slated only for mention since the previous hearing date had been shifted.
In her ruling, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu directed all parties to ensure they file and serve their pending motions before the next sitting. She subsequently adjourned the case to November 26, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications.
Ganduje, Wife’s failure to file applications stalls hearing in bribery, fraud case
