Court dismisses Ganduje’s application challenging jurisdiction over alleged bribery case

A Kano State High Court on Tuesday dismissed the application filed by the former Governor of the state and current national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear their case of alleged bribery and misappropriation.

Recall that the Kano State Government instituted an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of Naira against Ganduje, and his wife Hafsat Umar.

Others charged alongside the former Kano Governor are Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, in her ruling on Tuesday struck out the defendants’ preliminary objections, describing them as incompetent and citing relevant legal authorities.

Adamu-Aliyu held that the charges filed on May 13, 2024, against the defendants were competent to be tried.

The judge ruled that the case should proceed to trial in the absence of Ganduje and six others standing trial.

She also issued a summon to the sixth defendant, Lamash Properties Limited, and adjourned the matter until July 30 and July 31, 2025 for hearing.