KANO, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Kano has set July 21, 2023, as the date to commence hearings into the enforcement of the fundamental human rights of former Governor Umar Ganduje.
The case pertains to the alleged stockpiling of dollars, an act depicted in a viral video.
Ganduje has lodged a suit against the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission along with seven other respondents regarding his purported involvement in the dollar video clips.
The former governor, summoned by the state’s anti-graft agency to respond to questions about the supposed financial scandal, had previously secured an interim ex parte order to prevent the agency, the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service, and five other respondents from arresting him related to this issue.
The court order in the suit number FHC/KN/CS/195/2023, dated July 7, 2023, and signed by Imoh Bassey, the court’s registrar, commands a halt to any harassment, intimidation, or arrest of Ganduje, his family, and his former appointees by the anti-graft agency, police, DSS, and other respondents, until the originating motion is determined.
During the Friday, July 14, 2023 hearing, B. Hemba Esq, representing Ganduje, informed Justice A. M. Liman that they were ready to proceed with the originating motion, having served all parties involved.
However, the Kano State Anti-Corruption Agency’s counsel, Usman Umar Fari, requested a delay, stating that he only received his notice on July 11, 2023.
Fari asserted that he was within the five-day legal window to submit his counter-affidavit.
Similarly, the Department of State Services, DSS, counsel, Isiaya B. Bulus, also asked for a delay to prepare a response.
Representatives for the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner for Police in Kano State, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, and the Civil Defence and Security Corps were noticeably absent.
Despite the readiness of K. A. Hashim, counsel to the Kano State Government and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, to proceed, all parties agreed to adjourn the case to a later date.
