A Kano High Court on Wednesday adjourned the trial of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, and six others to February 3, 2026, to allow for the hearing of all outstanding motions.
The case arises from an 11-count charge filed by the Kano State Government, alleging that Ganduje, his wife, and the other defendants engaged in bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and the diversion of public funds worth billions of naira.
The additional accused include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
During Wednesday’s session, the state government’s counsel, Jedidiah Akpata, informed the court that the prosecution was not yet ready to proceed.
“My Lord, we are not ready to proceed. We seek the leave of the court to move our application for extension of time,” he said.
Akpata filed two motions seeking more time: one to respond to the respondents’ motion for stay of proceedings dated November 19, 2025, and another to respond to the sixth respondent’s preliminary objection dated November 24, 2025.
Counsel to Ganduje, his wife, and son, Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, said they were ready to proceed but did not oppose the prosecution’s request for an extension.
“My Lord, we are ready. We are not opposing the prosecution’s motion for extension of time,” she said.
Counsel to the other defendants also confirmed readiness to continue, including Chief M.N. Duru SAN (3rd and 7th defendants), Abdul Adamu-Fagge SAN (5th defendant), Abubakar Ahmad (6th respondent), and Abdulrazaq A. Ahmed (8th defendant).
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the prosecution’s motion for extension of time and adjourned the matter to February 3, 2026, for the hearing of all pending motions.
