April 17, (THEWILL) – The arraignment of the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and other Dependants, was stalled due to the inability of the Kano State Government to serve them with court papers.
Ganduje, alongside his wife, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited and Lasage General Enterprises Limited, were to be arraigned on an eight-count of bribery allegations, misappropriation and division of public funds running into billions of Naira against the defendants.
The case began with the State Government’s counsel, Barrister Ya’u Adamu, seeking the court’s permission to serve the Respondents through substituted means, but the Presiding Judge, Justice Usman NaAbba, denied the request.
Instead, NaAbba directed that the defendants be properly served on notice to determine if substituted service is appropriate in a criminal trial.
In the subsequent arguments, Barrister Adamu Ya’u admitted to not serving all the Defendants except the 6th Defendant, Lamash.
Ya’u requested the court to allow substituted service arguing its relevance in litigation.
On the other hand, Lamash’s counsel, Nuraini Jimoh (SAN), countered that there is no provision for substituted service in criminal trials, citing that personal service is required.
Nuraini emphasised the exclusivity of court service, relying on specific legal items.
After hearing arguments for and against substituted service, the judge instructed the prosecution to serve all the Respondents with notice for the court to decide whether substituted service or personal service should be employed.
The Judge then adjourned the proceedings to April 29, 2024.
About the Author
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
