A Kano State High Court has dismissed a motion filed by Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the court’s jurisdiction over the 11-count corruption charge brought against him and seven other defendants.
The motion was rejected by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, who ruled that the preliminary objections raised by Ganduje, a former governor of Kano, and his co-defendants lacked merit and were “incompetent.” The charges against them include bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira.
Justice Aliyu affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to hear the charges and noted that the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, alongside the police, had the authority to investigate criminal matters. She stated, “The charges before this court are competent,” emphasizing the lawful involvement of the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The judge also clarified that the trial would proceed even if Ganduje and the other six defendants are absent from court. The case has been adjourned to July 30 and 31 for further hearing. The defendants include Ganduje’s wife, Prof. Hafsat Umar, and other individuals and companies like Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Safari Textiles Limited, Lasage General Enterprises Limited, and Lamash Properties Limited.
The court heard arguments from both sides. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, representing the state, urged the court to dismiss the preliminary objections, describing them as attempts to delay the trial. Conversely, Ganduje’s legal team, led by Lydia Oluwakemi Oyewo, sought to quash the charges, citing jurisdictional issues. Despite their objections, Justice Aliyu declared that the trial would proceed according to due process, rejecting all applications to halt the case.
