Ganduje absent in court, as ex-Governor’s ‘criminal prosecution’ begins
The socio-economic and political temperature of the northwest state of Kano is currently on the rise, as the criminal case instituted against former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, begins.
The case, which came up for hearing on Wednesday, has been generating mixed reactions among the residents of the state for some time now.
The case mentioned at a Kano High Court was stalled Wednesday by the inability of the Kano State government to serve the charges on Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
READ ALSO Kano State Government drags ex-Gov Ganduje, wife, 6 others to court for bribery, diversion of funds
Ganduje was expected to be arraigned alongside his wife, Hafsat Ganduje, his son, Umar Abdullahi Umar and five others on eight count charges bordering on a $413,000 bribery allegation, diversion and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N1.38bn, among others.
READ ALSO APC Ward suspends Ganduje in Kano over corruption allegation
When the matter came up before Justice Usman Malam Na’abba, only the 6th respondent through his counsel, Nureini Jimoh SAN, was present in court while the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th respondents were absent.
Counsel to the Kano State government, Bar. Y. A. Adamu, told the court that he could not serve the summons on the respondents in person.
READ ALSO You cannot fight corruption and still keep Ganduje as ruling party Chairman, Tinubu told
Adamu, however, attempted to move an exparte motion application seeking to serve the respondents through substituted means but Counsel to the 6th respondent, Bar. Nureini Jimoh SAN, objected.
Jimoh told the prosecution to do their homework, noting that there is no provision for service on criminal charges by exparte motion vowing to challenge such move at the Court of Appeal.
READ ALSO BREAKING: Kano High Court affirms Ganduje’s suspension
The Presiding judge, Justice Na’abba however, adjourned the matter till April 29, 2024 for continuation.
The Kano State government had recently dragged Ganduje, wife, son and five others to court over funds misappropriation.
