The trial of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, and six others was on Wednesday adjourned by a Kano High Court to February 3, 2026, for hearing on all pending motions.
The adjournment came after the prosecution representing the Kano State Government declared it was not prepared to proceed with the day’s hearing.
Ganduje and the other defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds running into billions of naira. The other defendants are Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.
Prosecution Seeks More Time
Lead counsel for the state government, Jedidiah Akpata, informed the court that the prosecution needed additional time to respond to several outstanding applications.
“My Lord, we are not ready to proceed. We seek the leave of the court to move our application for extension of time,” Akpata said.
The prosecution filed two separate motions:
- One seeking more time to respond to the defendants’ motion for stay of proceedings dated November 19, 2025.
- Another to reply to the sixth respondent’s preliminary objection dated November 24, 2025.
Defence Says It’s Ready — But Does Not Oppose Delay
Counsel representing Ganduje, his wife, and son, Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, told the court that the defence was fully prepared to proceed but would not oppose the prosecution’s request.
“My Lord, we are ready. We are not opposing the prosecution’s motion for extension of time,” she said.
Other defence lawyers including Chief M. N. Duru (SAN) for the 3rd and 7th defendants, Abdul Adamu-Fagge (SAN) for the 5th defendant, Abubakar Ahmad for the 6th respondent, and Abdulrazaq A. Ahmed for the 8th defendant confirmed they were also ready to continue.
Court Grants Extension, Sets February 2026 Date
Presiding judge Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu granted the prosecution’s request for extension of time and adjourned the matter to February 3, 2026, for the hearing of all pending motions.
The high-profile trial one of the most politically charged corruption cases in the state’s history has faced multiple delays since the charges were first filed. It is expected to resume early next year with arguments on the various motions challenging the proceedings.
