By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
A state High Court sitting in Kano, on Wednesday, granted a fiat to serve the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, and five others through substituted means
It would be recalled that the Abba Kabir Yusuf-led administration has charged Ganduje, his wife with allegations of bribery, diversion, and misappropriation of public funds amounting to billions of naira in the state
Meanwhile, the other respondents whom the state government also sought an order against are Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.
Justice Amina Adamub, who presided over the court, issued the order following an application by Zahradeen Kofar-Mata, representing the Kano state government’s prosecution team led by Ya’u Adamu Esq.
Earlier, counsel for the sixth respondent, Nureini Jimoh SAN, had contested Ya’u Adamu’s appearance, arguing that only a specific individual with a fiat could appear.
However, Adamu responded that a team member, Zahradeen Kofar-Mata.
“I have my fiat but it is not here with me since I didn’t anticipate this. Since my appearance has been challenged, Bar. Zahradeen Kofar-Mata will move the application on the motion exparte. My lord, Kofar-Mata has a fiat to appear concerning financial crime.
“I urge the court to allow us to move this motion.”
Kofar-Mata consequently moved the motion ex parte, dated May 29, requesting permission to serve the respondents through publications in two widely circulated national dailies. Despite Jimoh’s objection, Justice Adamu had granted the order, allowing the substituted service.
The case has been adjourned until July 11, 2024, for a hearing, with the judge instructing all parties to present their fiat to the court.
