Bribery Trial of Ganduje, Wife, and Others Stalled in Nigerian Court

The trial of Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Ganduje, and several others over alleged bribery has been stalled in a Nigerian court. The case, which was set to commence on April 18, 2024, at the Federal High Court in Kano, faced a setback due to the absence of key defendants.

Governor Ganduje and his wife are facing charges related to the alleged collection of bribes from contractors in Kano State. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed the case against them, accusing the defendants of money laundering and abuse of office.

The court had previously granted bail to the defendants, allowing them to remain free pending the commencement of the trial. However, when the case was called on April 18, several of the accused persons, including Governor Ganduje and his wife, were not present in court.

Counsel for the defendants informed the court that their clients were unable to attend due to various reasons, including official engagements and health issues. They requested an adjournment to allow the defendants to appear before the court.

The prosecution, led by the EFCC, opposed the request for adjournment, arguing that the defendants had been given ample time to prepare for the trial. They urged the court to issue bench warrants for the arrest of the absent defendants to ensure their presence at the next hearing.

Why this matters: The bribery trial of Governor Ganduje and his wife has significant implications for the fight against corruption in Nigeria. As high-profile public officials, their case is being closely watched by the public and anti-corruption advocates who are demanding accountability and transparency in governance.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the presiding judge, Justice Muhammad Nasir Yunusa, adjourned the case to June 15, 2024. The judge warned that failure of the defendants to appear at the next hearing would result in the issuance of bench warrants for their arrest.

The adjournment of the trial has raised concerns among anti-corruption activists who have been pushing for the speedy prosecution of the case. They argue that delays in the trial could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

Key Takeaways

• Trial of Kano governor Ganduje and wife over bribery allegations stalled.
• Defendants absent from court, citing official engagements and health issues.
• Prosecution opposed adjournment, sought arrest warrants for absent defendants.
• Judge adjourned case to June 2024, warned of arrest warrants if no-show.
• Delay raises concerns among anti-corruption activists about undermining public trust.