Proceedings in the case involving former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, concerning the ownership of a multi-billion-naira inland port project, were on Monday halted at a Kano High Court.
Ganduje, together with his aide, Abubakar Bawuro; his counsel, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda; and a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello, are facing 10-count charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, conflict of interest, and alleged diversion of public funds.
The charges were instituted by the Kano State Government, which claimed that the defendants worked together to transfer 80 percent equity in Dala Inland Dry Port, including the state government’s 20 percent shareholding, to a private firm, “City Green Enterprise.”
Prosecutors further alleged that more than N4.49 billion belonging to the state was unlawfully channelled into infrastructure development at the port, such as road works, power supply, and perimeter fencing, for personal advantage.
The hearing suffered a setback after a heated dispute emerged between defence and prosecution counsel over the legitimacy of the authority to prosecute the matter.
Lead defence counsel, A.S. Gadanya (SAN), contended that the fiat submitted by the state’s legal representatives related to a separate case and urged the court to void all prior proceedings. However, the state’s lawyer, R.O. Zakariyya, insisted that the prosecution possessed the necessary legal mandate and produced what he described as a valid fiat empowering the team to proceed with the case. Justice Yusuf Ubale of High Court No. 2, sitting at the Audu Bako Secretariat in Kano, adjourned proceedings, stating that he would rule on the defence’s objection on May 6.
The defendants are equally alleged to have exploited their official positions to siphon public resources for private purposes, contrary to financial and constitutional provisions.
The matter is expected to continue after the court delivers its ruling on the preliminary objection.
