Ganduje, wife fail to file applications, hearing stalled

The ongoing trial of former Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, and six others was stalled on Monday at a Kano State High Court after they failed to file pending applications.

The case, instituted by the Kano State Government, involves 11 counts against the accused, including allegations of bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds running into billions of Naira. The charges highlight the government’s claims of systemic abuse of office and financial misconduct during Ganduje’s tenure.

Court sources said the delay could affect the pace of the trial, as judges rely on proper documentation before proceedings can continue. The defense team had requested time to file various motions, but their inability to submit them on Monday forced the court to adjourn.

Observers say this development underscores the complexities often associated with high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria, where procedural delays can extend the timeline of justice.

The trial is now expected to resume once the applications are properly filed and reviewed by the court. Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has expressed its commitment to seeing the matter through, insisting that the charges reflect serious breaches of public trust.

Members of the public and interested parties are closely monitoring the case, given its implications for governance and accountability in the state.