KEY POINTS

• A Kano State High Court has adjourned the trial of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, their son Abdullahi Umar, and five other defendants to April 15 over alleged misappropriation and diversion of public funds.

• The defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds said to run into billions of naira.

• Other defendants in the case include Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd.

A Kano State High Court has adjourned the trial of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, their son Abdullahi Umar, and five other defendants to April 15 over alleged misappropriation and diversion of public funds.

The defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds said to run into billions of naira.

Other defendants in the case include Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution told the court it was ready to proceed with trial.

Prosecutors also drew the court’s attention to a motion dated November 24, 2025, in which they are seeking leave to file additional proof of evidence against the defendants.

Defence Lawyers Cite Pending Applications

Several defence counsel opposed moving into trial, insisting that outstanding applications must first be resolved.

Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, counsel to the defendants, informed the court that the defence filed a motion dated July 17, 2025, requesting a stay of proceedings.

Adekunle Taiye-Falola, representing the third and seventh defendants, also referenced a separate motion dated May 23, 2025.

Muhammad Shehu, counsel to the fifth defendant, said an affidavit had been filed notifying the court of an application for stay of proceedings currently before the court of appeal.

Abubakar Ahmad, counsel to the sixth defendant, told the court he had filed a notice of preliminary objection and an application for extension of time to respond on points of law dated February 2, and urged the court to fix a date for hearing.

Faruk Asekome, counsel to the eighth defendant, said he was ready to proceed.

After listening to submissions from both sides, the presiding judge, Amina Adamu-Aliyu, adjourned the matter until April 15 for the hearing of all pending applications and preliminary objections.