Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The high-profile corruption trial of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and seven others suffered a significant setback on Wednesday as a Kano State High Court adjourned proceedings until October 14, 2026, after the prosecution sought to withdraw and substitute a motion it had previously filed. The adjournment marks the latest delay in a case that has drawn widespread public attention since charges were first filed against the former governor, his family members, and several companies over allegations of bribery, conspiracy, and the diversion of billions of naira in public funds.
Ganduje, who governed Kano State from 2015 to 2023 and later served as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is standing trial alongside his wife, Hafsat Umar; his son, Abdullahi Umar; Abubakar Bawuro; Jibrilla Muhammad; and three corporate entities: Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd. The defendants face an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira. The Kano State Government instituted the case, which has been pending before Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu.
When the case came up for hearing on Wednesday, prosecuting counsel Victor Oni informed the court that the state was ready to proceed. However, Oni sought leave to withdraw an earlier motion on notice dated March 31, 2026, and substitute it with a fresh application dated May 15, 2026. He explained that the new application was accompanied by a counter-affidavit and a fresh written address in response to the sixth defendant's preliminary objection and application for a stay of proceedings.
Counsel to Ganduje, his wife, and son, Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, who held brief for Chief M.N. Duru (SAN), told the court that the defence had no objection to the prosecution's request. Similarly, counsel to the fifth defendant, Muhammad Shehu, expressed readiness to proceed, while counsel to the eighth defendant, Abdulrazaq Ahmed, also indicated his readiness. However, counsel to the sixth defendant, Abubakar Ahmad, informed the court that he had already filed a notice of preliminary objection, counter-affidavit, and written address, and requested a date for the hearing of his application.
In her ruling, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu struck out the prosecution's earlier motion dated March 31, 2026. She subsequently adjourned the matter until October 14, 2026, for the hearing of the sixth defendant's preliminary objection. The decision means the substantive trial will not proceed until at least October, prolonging a case that has already seen multiple adjournments. In February 2026, the court had previously adjourned the matter to April 15 for the hearing of all pending applications and preliminary objections.
The trial stems from allegations that Ganduje and his co-defendants engaged in a series of financial improprieties during his tenure as governor, including the fraudulent transfer of ownership of the Dala Inland Dry Port and other public assets. The Kano State Government has pursued the case vigorously, while the defence has consistently challenged the court's jurisdiction and raised preliminary objections.
The adjournment is likely to fuel public frustration over the slow pace of the judicial process, particularly given the magnitude of the allegations and the high-profile status of the defendants. For now, the case remains in a holding pattern, with all parties now awaiting the October hearing, when the court is expected to rule on the sixth defendant's preliminary objection before any substantive trial can commence. As the legal battle continues, the people of Kano and Nigerians at large will be watching closely to see whether justice will ultimately be served in a case that has become a symbol of the fight against corruption in the country.
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