A snag occurred in the arraignment process of the former governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the Kano State High Court due to the Kano State government’s failure to serve criminal charges on him.
Dr. Ganduje, along with his wife, Hafsat Ganduje, son Umar Abdullahi Umar, and five others, was supposed to face eight counts of bribery allegations but was notably absent from the court proceedings.
During the session before Justice Usman Malam Na’abba, only the 6th respondent, represented by counsel Nureini Jimoh (SAN), was present, with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th respondents missing.
The Kano State government’s counsel, Bar. Ya’u A. Adamu, informed the court that they were unable to personally serve the respondents.
Adamu then sought to file an exparte motion application to serve the respondents through alternative means, but counsel for the 6th respondent, Bar. Nureini Jimoh SAN, objected.
Jimoh argued against the exparte motion, emphasizing the lack of provision for serving criminal charges in such a manner and indicated intentions to challenge the move at the Court of Appeal.
Justice Na’abba, the presiding judge, adjourned the proceedings to 29th April 2024 for further actions.
The Kano State government recently initiated legal action against Ganduje, his wife, son, and five others on allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds.