Again, Kano State Government Files Fresh Corruption Charges Against Dr Gandunje

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Government on Tuesday,  July 16 2024, filed fresh corruption charges against the immediate past Governor of the State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Gandunje.

The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC,is being charged along side his erstwhile Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Musa Lawan.

This is even as its earlier  corruption case against  the former Governor is still pending at a Kano state High Court.

In the charge sheet with case number K/143c/24, the Kano State authorities are accusing the duo of Dr Gandunje and Lawan of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds and abuse of public office.

The Source reports that the Kano State Government had, early April, 2024,  filed bribery and corruption charges against Dr Ganduje, his wife, some family members and some corporate entities.

Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu ,the presiding Judge, last week ruled that she would try Gandunje, his Wife and other Respondents in the case in absentia.

Her decision followed the absence of the Respondents in Court, the second time since the commencement of the trial.

The former Governor of Kano state, his wife and five others had shunned the court’s sitting on June 5, 2024.

The applicants and their legal team had also complained of difficulties in serving Dr Ganduje and other Respondents the court papers.

This prompted Justice Aliyu to order for a substituted service.

But at the resumed hearing on Friday July, 12, the Respondents were again absent, a development that led to Justice Aliyu opting to try  them in absentia.

The  Respondents legal team led by Nuraini Jimoh had earlier filed a notice of preliminary objections against the trial.

The Source reports that a  Federal High Court, sitting in Kano had earlier dismissed the bribery and corruption charges against Dr Ganduje.

The Court in its ruling held that the charges preferred against the Respondents are such that can only be investigated and prosecuted by the Federal Government through the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and its agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.

Specifically, the Federal High Court had ruled that the Kano State Government, acting through its Agency, the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission, lacks the constitutional power to investigate and/or prosecute Dr Ganduje on corruption charges.

Justice Simon Amobeda, only last week, while ruling on a related matter before him, chided the Kano State Government for abuse of Court processes.

Justice Amobeda held that rather than approaching the Court with same matter that had already been determined ,the kano state Government should appeal the earlier judgement at the Appeal Court .

Justice Aliyu of the kano state High Court ,despite resolving to try the Respondents in absentia ,however has reserved ruling on the preliminary objection filed by Ganduje’s Counsel against his continued trial.

The court is yet to fix a date for the arraignment  of the Respondents over the fresh charges filed by the kano state Government on Tuesday, July, 16.