A Kano State High Court has adjourned the ongoing corruption trial of former Kano Governor and ex-APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, his son Abdullahi Umar, and five other defendants until April 15, 2026.
The defendants face an 11-count charge alleging bribery, criminal conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of naira.
The other accused include Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd.
During the resumed hearing on February 3, 2026, the prosecution, led by counsel for the Kano State government, indicated readiness to proceed and highlighted a motion dated November 24, 2025, for leave to file additional proof of evidence.Defence teams, however, objected, pointing to multiple unresolved applications.
These included:
A motion dated July 17, 2025, seeking a stay of proceedings (raised by Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo for some defendants).
Another motion dated May 23, 2025.
An affidavit notifying the court of a pending stay application before the Court of Appeal (mentioned by Muhammad Shehu for the fifth defendant).
A notice of preliminary objection and application for extension of time dated February 2, 2026 (filed by Abubakar Ahmad for the sixth defendant).
Only counsel for the eighth defendant expressed readiness to continue the trial.After arguments from both sides, presiding Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu adjourned the matter to April 15, 2026, specifically for the hearing of all pending applications, preliminary objections, and related matters.
The case has faced repeated delays due to legal hurdles. Earlier, the high court dismissed defence preliminary objections as "incompetent" and upheld its jurisdiction.
The defendants appealed that ruling, but in October 2025, the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal struck out the appeal for failure to properly transmit the record.
The adjournment continues a pattern of postponements in the high-profile case, which stems from allegations of massive public fund diversion during Ganduje's tenure as governor.
