A Kano State High Court has scheduled the arraignment of the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, son, and five others for alleged bribery.

The court fixed April 17 for the proceedings, where the defendants will face charges related to bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira.

According to a writ of summon obtained by reporters, the matter is slated to be heard before Justice Usman Malam Na’aba of the State High Court. The charges against Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Ganduje, their son Umar Abdullahi Umar, and six others include allegations of accepting bribes in dollars, as well as diverting and misappropriating public funds.

This development follows a fresh charge filed by the Kano State government against the former governor and his co-defendants. The additional defendants named in the suit are Ganduje’s son, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.

The Kano State Government, as the plaintiff in the case, has disclosed its readiness to present 15 witnesses to testify against the defendants. The charges to be leveled against Ganduje and the others include allegations of accepting a $413,000 bribe and misappropriating funds totaling N1.38 billion, among other offenses.

The upcoming court proceedings are expected to draw significant attention as the legal battle unfolds, shedding light on allegations of corruption within the state’s political sphere.

source: The Sun