Kano High Court to Arraign Ganduje on Bribery Charges: Former Governor Faces Trial on April 17, 2024

The Kano High Court has set a date to bring the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, to face charges related to bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds.

The court has scheduled the arraignment for April 17, 2024. Ganduje, alongside his wife and six others, will be tried for their alleged involvement in a series of financial misconducts, including the acceptance of a $413,000 and N1.38bn bribe.

The Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, confirmed that the case would be brought before Justice Usman Na’aba of State High Court number four.

The Kano State Government has announced that it will present 15 witnesses to testify against the accused, demonstrating a strong case against the former governor and his associates.

Among those listed in the writ of summons are prominent figures such as Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.

The government has asserted that it is prepared to take a firm stance on issues of corruption and accountability within its jurisdiction.

In a statement to Channels Television, Dederi highlighted the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions, emphasizing that “What he (Ganduje) doesn’t understand is that you cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you, and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us that are also in government now.”

The case against Ganduje is not limited to the Kano High Court, as the Kano State Government has appealed a previous ruling by Justice Liman, which stated that the state’s anti-corruption and public complaints commission lacked the power to investigate Ganduje over his alleged dollar bribery scandal.

This appeal demonstrates the government’s commitment to pursuing justice and ensuring that those accused of corruption are held accountable for their actions.

As the trial date approaches, the people of Kano State and Nigeria as a whole eagerly await the outcome of this high-profile case, which could have far-reaching implications for the country’s ongoing battle against corruption and financial misconduct.