The trial of Abdullahi Ganduje, the former Governor of Kano State, on bribery charges faced a setback on Wednesday due to the prosecution’s failure to serve him with the charges.
The Kano State Government brought forth eight counts of bribery totaling $413,000 and N1.38bn against Ganduje, along with his wife, Hafsat, and son, Umar.
Other defendants included Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.
Justice Usman Na’Abba of the Kano State High Court had set the trial date for Wednesday, April 17, in a summons issued the previous week.
During the court session before Justice Na’Abba on Wednesday, only the 6th respondent, represented by Nureini Jimoh (SAN), was present.
Ganduje and the other defendants were conspicuously absent.
The Kano State Government’s counsel, Ya’u Adamu, informed the court of difficulties in serving the charges on the defendants.
Adamu then sought to proceed with an ex parte application to serve the defendants through alternative means.
However, Jimoh opposed this, arguing against the legality of serving criminal charges via ex parte motion and indicating intent to challenge it at the Court of Appeal, if granted.
Justice Na’Abba adjourned the case until April 29.
The charges outlined that Ganduje, as the Governor of Kano State, allegedly received bribes and kickbacks from contractors and engaged in illegal activities for personal gain, causing losses to the state and its people.
The state’s Attorney General, Muhuyi Magaji, cited legal provisions empowering him to bring charges against the defendants based on the constitution and criminal justice laws.