Courtroom proceedings in Kano were once again disrupted on Wednesday as the trial involving former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, and six other defendants was pushed back to early February next year. The extension will allow the prosecution time to respond to outstanding legal motions.
Legal representatives for the state highlighted that the extension was necessary due to pending applications and preliminary objections that required careful examination before the case could continue. The state government’s counsel, Jedidiah Akpata, explained that responding to motions submitted by the defendants had become a priority to ensure procedural compliance.
Despite the delay, the defense teams reiterated their readiness to continue with the proceedings. Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, representing Ganduje, Hafsat, and their son, stated that they had no objection to the prosecution’s request for additional time, signaling a cooperative approach to court protocol. Other counsels, including Chief M.N. Duru SAN and Abdul Adamu-Fagge SAN, confirmed the same stance on behalf of their clients.
The charges faced by the defendants stem from allegations of bribery, diversion of public funds, conspiracy, and other related offenses, cumulatively spanning billions of naira. The case also involves corporate entities such as Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited, all accused of participating in the alleged financial improprieties.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the prosecution’s motion for extension, scheduling February 3, 2026, as the next date for all pending motions to be heard. This development means that both the defense and prosecution have additional time to prepare their arguments while ensuring that court procedures are strictly adhered to.
Observers note that such adjournments, while procedural, often reflect the complex nature of high-profile financial crime trials in Nigeria, where multiple defendants and intertwined corporate interests require meticulous legal scrutiny.
The courtroom was notably orderly during the hearing, with all parties present and engaged, demonstrating the judicial system’s effort to balance expediency with due process. The case continues to attract significant public and media attention due to Ganduje’s political prominence and the scale of the alleged misappropriation.
