Ganduje’s Bribery Trial Cleared to Proceed — Court Rejects Bid to Quash $413,000, ₦1.8bn Charges
Date: 14 May 2025 | Byline: IDNN Anti-Corruption & Political Justice Desk
The Kano State High Court has rejected all preliminary objections filed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and co-defendants seeking to stop their high-profile bribery and corruption trial.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu dismissed the motions, ruling that the charges — involving $413,000 and ₦1.38 billion — were legally competent and the matter must proceed to trial.
Ganduje, now the APC National Chairman, stands accused alongside his wife Hafsat, son Umar, and five others of receiving bribes and misappropriating public funds through shell companies and contractors.
The Charges: What’s Ganduje Accused Of?
The 11-count charge includes:
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Receiving $413,000 in bribes
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Misappropriating ₦1.38 billion in public funds
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Using proxies including Lamash Properties, Safari Textiles, and Lasage Enterprises
The prosecution claims these actions were committed while Ganduje was governor of Kano State.
Court Slaps Down All Defence Motions
Ganduje’s legal team, led by Mrs. Lydia Oyewo, had argued:
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The court lacked jurisdiction
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Charges were politically motivated
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Evidence was insufficient
But the court disagreed, siding with Kano State Government’s counsel Adeola Adedipe (SAN) and clearing the way for full trial proceedings on July 30 and 31, 2025.
The judge also summoned Lamash Properties, the sixth defendant, and warned against delay tactics.
