Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Amina Aliyu, has ruled that the trial of the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, on charges of alleged bribery and misappropriation of funds will continue, even in his absence.The Kano State government, under Governor Abba Yusuf, has filed an eight-count charge against the defendants, alleging bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of Naira.
On June 5, the court had granted an order for substituted service to notify Ganduje and the seven other defendants of the charges.
However, in a recent ruling, Justice Amina Aliyu dismissed the state’s application for a bench warrant against the defendants, allowing the trial to continue in absentia.
She entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of the defendants and refused to strike out the charges.
Justice Aliyu adjourned the matter until October 23 and 24 for the hearing of the preliminary objection and the main charge.