Arraignment of Ganduje, family: Court fixes May 16 to rule on means of service

A Kano High Court sitting at Audu Bako, Kano, has fixed May 16, 2024, to rule on means of service in the case of an alleged corruption case involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and seven others.

The court, presided over by Justice Usman Malam Na’abba, reserved the date after a heated argument between the parties involved.

Daily Trust reports that Ganduje, wife, son and six others were billed to be arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on bribery, diversion and misappropriation of funds, among others.

Aside from Ganduje and family members, other parties in the suit are Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd and Lesage General Enterprises.

Kano State government in the criminal suit filed against the respondents said it has assembled 15 witnesses to testify against them.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, the Prosecution counsel, Adeola Adedipe said a criminal charge can be effected by substituted means.

“Section 378 sub section 5 of the Kano State ACJL provides that the application for leave may be brought before the Court on the effect of substituted service.

“Service on the defendant may be through his legal practitioner, surety and adult in his house.”

However, in his own submission, counsel to the sixth respondent, Nureini Jimoh, objected that attempt by the prosecution to serve the defendant through substituted means could not hold water as such should be discontenanced.

He argued the process of inviting the suspects to Court has not been followed.

“There is no way they have been invited. You cannot come and pour your problem on the Court. The court cannot rely on section 378 in bringing the suspects to Court. I represent Lamash Properties limited, I am not a natural person where I can be served through substituted means. I am a company.”

He prayed to the court to serve him in accordance with the law as any application by ex parte should be rejected because it is contrary to law.

He urged the court to decline substituted service.

In his crown counter reaction, the prosecution counsel said the argument of the defense counsel is premature and preemptive.

The Court, however, fixed May 16, 2024, for ruling on means of service.