A Kano State High Court has fixed April 17, 2024, for the arraignment of the former governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, along with his wife, son, and five others, on charges related to bribery.
Ganduje and the co-accused face eight counts, including allegations of a $413,000 bribery scheme, as well as diversion and misappropriation of funds amounting to N1.38bn, among other charges.
The Federal High Court in Kano had previously ruled that the Kano Public Compliant and Anti-Corruption Commission lacked the jurisdiction to investigate Ganduje over a purported $5m bribery video.
Justice Abdullahi Liman stated that such offenses fell under federal jurisdiction and could be prosecuted by the Attorney General of the Federation and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Despite this ruling, Governor Abba Yusuf urged the EFCC to disclose the outcome of its investigation into the alleged bribery video involving Ganduje, emphasizing that Ganduje should focus on preparing for his trial instead of criticizing the current administration.
In a writ of summons, the Kano State Government initiated a criminal suit naming Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lesage General Enterprises as respondents, summoning 15 witnesses to appear before the court.
The case is set for April 17, 2024, before Justice Usman Na’aba of the state High Court Number Four.
Confirming the development, the state Attorney General, Haruna Dederi, asserted the filing of the case and assured that all parties involved would be duly served. He emphasized that Ganduje cannot evade accountability, as the offenses fall under both state and federal jurisdictions.
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