The Kano State High Court has adjourned the hearing of preliminary objections in the bribery and misappropriation case involving Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and seven other defendants, to February 13, 2025.

Filed by the Kano State Government, the case alleges bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira. The defendants include Ganduje’s wife, Hafsat Umar, along with Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, and three corporate entities Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

At Wednesday’s session, legal representatives for the defendants submitted multiple motions, prompting Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu to consolidate the applications and schedule a unified hearing for February.

M.N. Duru, SAN, representing Ganduje and two other defendants, requested the court to strike out an earlier application from October 21, seeking facilities and a witness statement. Duru explained that they wished to replace it with a new application from November 18.

However, counsel for the Kano State Government, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, opposed the withdrawal, arguing that the application was invalid as it had not been formally moved. Justice Adamu-Aliyu struck out the October 21 application and overruled the objections raised by the defense.

“The court will hear all preliminary objections on February 13, 2025,” Justice Adamu-Aliyu confirmed, giving additional time for all motions to be addressed comprehensively.

The case continues to attract significant public attention, given the high-profile nature of the defendants and the serious allegations involved. Legal observers are closely following the proceedings.