A Kano State High Court, on Wednesday, granted permission for the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, and five others to be served court documents through substituted means.
This decision follows a legal case brought by the Kano State government, alleging bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of funds amounting to billions of naira.
The respondents in the case include Ganduje as the first respondent, his wife Hafsat as the second, and other individuals such as Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Jibrilla Muhammad. Safari Textiles Ltd and Lesage General Enterprises are also named as respondents.
Justice Amina Adamu presided over the court session and approved the order after an application from Zahradeen Kofar-Mata, representing the prosecution counsel, Ya’u Adamu Esq. The application came after the appearance of Ya’u Adamu was contested by the defense counsel, Nureini Jimoh SAN, who argued that only the person specifically given the fiat could appear.
In response, Ya’u Adamu acknowledged the challenge but noted that a team member, Zahradeen Kofar-Mata, who has the requisite fiat, would proceed with the motion ex parte. Kofar-Mata then moved the motion to serve the respondents via publication in two widely circulated national newspapers.
Despite objections from the defense, Justice Adamu ruled in favor of the motion, allowing service through substituted means. The case has been adjourned to July 11, 2024, for further hearing, with the judge instructing all parties to present their fiat at the next court session.