A Kano State High Court, yesterday, granted an order to serve the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, and other defendants in a high-profile bribery and corruption case through substituted means.
A 10-count charge was brought against Ganduje, his wife Hafsat Umar, and several associates by the state government, alleging bribery, misappropriation and diversion of public funds amounting to billions of Naira.
During the proceedings, counsel for the sixth respondent, Nureini Jimoh, challenged the appearance of the lead prosecution counsel, Yau Adamu, arguing that a specific person had been granted the fiat to appear in the case.
Adamu responded by informing the court that due to the challenge, Zahradeen Kofar-Mata would move the application ex parte.
“My lord, Kofar-Mata has a fiat to appear in any matter concerning financial crime,” Adamu stated.
“I urge the court to allow us to move this motion,” he added.
Kofar-Mata proceeded to move the ex parte motion dated May 29, which was supported by seven paragraphs seeking to serve the respondents through substituted means by publishing the summons in two national daily newspapers.
Jimoh, however, objected to the motion, arguing against the use of substituted service.
Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu overruled the objection and granted the order, following the application made by Kofar-Mata, who represented the lead prosecution counsel, Ya’u Adamu.
“The court orders that the service be published in two newspapers,” Justice Adamu-Aliyu declared.
Furthermore, the presiding judge directed all parties in the case to present their fiat to the court.
She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till July 11 for further hearing.
