The trial of former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven other defendants over allegations of bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of public funds suffered a setback on Wednesday after the Kano State High Court adjourned proceedings until October 14, 2026.
Ganduje is being prosecuted alongside his wife, Hafsat Umar, on an 11-count charge involving the alleged misappropriation of billions of naira during his tenure as governor.
Other defendants in the matter include Abubakar Bawuro, Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
When the case came up for hearing, the prosecution, represented by Victor Oni, informed the court that the state was prepared to proceed with all pending applications before the court.
Oni disclosed that the prosecution had filed a motion on notice dated May 15, 2026, and requested permission to withdraw an earlier motion filed on March 31, 2026.
He further asked the court to allow the substitution of the withdrawn application with the newer motion, which was accompanied by a counter-affidavit and a fresh written address responding to the sixth defendant’s preliminary objection and application for a stay of proceedings.
Counsel to Ganduje, his wife and son, Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, informed the court that the defence was ready to proceed and had no objection to the prosecution’s application.
Oluwakemi-Oyewo, who also represented Chief M.N. Duru (SAN), counsel to the third and seventh defendants, stated that the defence did not oppose the request to withdraw and replace the earlier application.
Similarly, counsel to the fifth defendant, Muhammad Shehu, told the court that he was ready to continue with the matter.
However, counsel to the sixth defendant, Abubakar Ahmad, informed the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection, accompanied by a counter-affidavit and written address, and subsequently requested a date for the hearing of the application.
Counsel to the eighth defendant, Abdulrazaq Ahmed, also confirmed his readiness to proceed with the case.
After listening to all parties, the presiding judge, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, granted the prosecution’s request and struck out the motion on notice dated March 31, 2026.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until October 14, 2026, for the hearing of the sixth defendant’s preliminary objection.
The adjournment means the substantive trial will remain on hold until the court determines the issues raised in the preliminary objection.
