A Kano State High Court has adjourned till February 13, 2024, the hearing of preliminary objections in the bribery and misappropriation case involving ex-governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat and six others.
The eight-count charge filed by Kano State Government includes bribery, misappropriation and diversion of public funds.
At Wednesday’s hearing, legal representatives for the defendants presented a flurry of motions and applications, leading to the court’s decision to consolidate and adjourn for a unified hearing.
Counsel for Ganduje and two other defendants M.N. Duru holding brief for Offiong Offiong requested the court to strike out an earlier application dated October 21, seeking facilities and a witness statement.
“We urge the court to strike out the application. My Lord, we intend to move our new application dated November 18,” Duru said.
He added that corrections were needed in the dates referenced in their affidavit and requested more time.
However, counsel for the applicants Adeola Adedipe argued that Ganduje’s withdrawal application should be dismissed rather than struck out.
“We have filed our counter affidavit dated November 15, 2024, and two additional counter affidavits dated October 18 and October 21. My Lord, we urge the court to dismiss the withdrawal application as it has not been moved,” Adedipe stated.
Several other defence counsels, including those representing the corporate defendants, also sought adjournments for corrections and consolidations in their filings.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu ruled on the matter, striking out Ganduje’s application and overruled objections raised by the applicants.
“The court will hear all preliminary objections on February 13, 2025,” the judge said.
