Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano, is set to be arraigned on corruption charges.
The Kano High Court has scheduled the hearing for 17th April 2024.
Ganduje, along with his wife and six other individuals, faces an eight-count charge related to allegations of bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds.
The charges include an alleged $413,000 and N1.38bn bribery, among others.
The Kano State Government, which filed the criminal suit against the eight respondents, has prepared a list of 15 witnesses for the case.
The trial will take place before Justice Usman Malam Na’aba of State High Court number four.
The state government accuses Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, his son Umar Abdullahi, and five others of corruption, misappropriation, and diversion of funds during Ganduje’s eight-year tenure as governor.
The other respondents named in the lawsuit include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.
The lead charge alleges that Ganduje, while serving as the Governor of Kano State, corruptly asked for and received the sum of $200,000.
This sum is said to be a benefit from one of the beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the Kano State Government on Ganduje’s instruction and approval.
The second charge alleges that Ganduje dishonestly and/or corruptly collected a kickback of $213,000 to his advantage. T
he charges are contrary to and punishable under Section 22 of The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission Law 2008 (as amended), Law N02 of 2009, Laws of Kano State of Nigeria.
The case, set for 17th April 2024, promises to be a significant event in the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria.
