Proceedings in the trial of former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, over the ownership of a multi-billion-naira inland port project, were on Monday stalled at a Kano High Court.
Ganduje, alongside his aide, Abubakar Bawuro; his lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda; and a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello, are facing 10 charges, including criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, conflict of interest, and misuse of public funds.
The charges were filed by the Kano State Government, which alleged that the defendants conspired to transfer 80 percent of the shares of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the state government’s 20 percent stake, to a private company, “City Green Enterprise.”
Prosecutors also claimed that over N4.49 billion belonging to the state was allegedly misappropriated to fund infrastructure projects at the port, including road construction, electricity supply, and fencing, for personal benefit.
The trial hit a snag following a sharp disagreement between the defence and prosecution teams over the legal authority to prosecute the case.
Lead defence counsel, A.S. Gadanya (SAN), argued that the legal approval, or fiat, presented by the state’s legal team was meant for a different matter and requested that all previous proceedings be nullified.
However, the state’s lawyer, R.O. Zakariyya, countered that the prosecution had proper legal backing and presented what he described as a valid fiat authorising the team to handle the matter.
Justice Yusuf Ubale of High Court No. 2, sitting at the Audu Bako Secretariat in Kano, adjourned the case, saying he would deliver a ruling on the defence’s objection on May 6.
The defendants are also accused of abusing their official positions to divert public funds for private gain, in breach of financial and constitutional regulations.
The trial will resume after the court delivers its decision on the legal challenge.
