Kano, Nigeria – The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, along with his wife Hafsat Ganduje and six other individuals, is set to appear in court on Thursday to face charges of alleged bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds amounting to billions of naira.
This development comes after a notice of trial was served to the respondents through substituted means, as per the order of the Kano State High Court. The court granted this order on June 5, 2024, enabling the state to serve the seven respondents via substituted service. The service was executed through advertisements in two national newspapers on June 6, 2024.
See Also: EFCC Arrests Hafsat Ganduje, Wife Of The Governor Of Kano
Respondents in the Case
The individuals and entities involved in the case are:
- Abdullahi Ganduje – 1st respondent
- Hafsat Ganduje – 2nd respondent
- Abubakar Bawuro – 3rd respondent
- Umar Abdullahi Umar – 4th respondent
- Jibrilla Muhammad – 5th respondent
- Safari Textiles Ltd – 7th respondent
- Lesage General Enterprises – 8th respondent
Justice Amina Adamu, who presided over the case, granted the order for substituted service following an application by Zahradeen Kofar-Mata, counsel for the state government, representing the lead prosecution counsel, Ya’u Adamu.
“This court grants the application for substituted service because it is necessary to ensure the respondents are duly notified of the proceedings,” stated Justice Adamu during the court session.
She further announced that the matter is adjourned till July 11, 2024, for hearing and mandated all parties involved to present their fiat to the court.
The hearing is expected to commence at 10 a.m. at the Kano State High Court on Thursday, with significant public and media interest anticipated due to the high-profile nature of the case.
The charges against Abdullahi Ganduje and his associates have sparked off rumours of possible rancour within the ruling party because other high-ranking political figures and party members complicit in corruption cases have not been held accountable. A few good examples include the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Beta Edu and former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Nigerians are not expecting much from the coming court proceedings. It will however be a nice change to have a high ranking political figure in this administration and the APC in general, charged and convicted for fraud.
Source: ChannelsTV