A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has scheduled a new date for the commencement of hearings into the enforcement of the Fundamental Human Rights of former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje in the case of alleged stockpiling of dollars in a viral video.
The court has fixed July 21, 2023, for the commencement of the hearing on the suit filed by Ganduje against the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission and seven others regarding his alleged involvement in the dollar video clips.
Ganduje, who was invited by the state anti-graft agency to answer questions on the alleged financial scandal, had previously obtained an interim ex parte order restraining the agency, the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service, and five other respondents from arresting him in relation to the matter.
In suit number FHC/KN/CS/195/2023, dated July 7, 2023, and signed by Imoh Bassey, the court’s registrar, the court ordered a restraining order against the harassment, intimidation, or arrest of Ganduje, his family members, and all his former appointees by the anti-graft agency, police, DSS, and other respondents pending the determination of the originating motion.
During the hearing on Friday, counsel to Ganduje, B. Hemba Esq, informed Justice A. M. Liman that the party was ready to proceed with the originating motion, as all parties involved had been served.
However, counsel to the Kano State Anti-Corruption Agency, Usman Umar Fari, informed the court that he was not ready to proceed with the matter as he received his notice on July 11, 2023.
The counsel for the anti-corruption agency requested an adjournment, arguing that he was still within the five-day window period allowed by law to file his counter-affidavit.
Similarly, counsel to the Department of State Services (DSS), Isiaya B. Bulus, also sought an adjournment to enable him to file a reply.
Counsel to 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 conspicuously absent.
Although counsel to the Kano State Government and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, K. A. Hashim, expressed readiness to proceed with the matter, all parties did not object to the adjournment of the case to a later date.