The expected arraignment of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has been stalled because of the Kano State Government’s inability to serve criminal charges against him.

Ganduje; his wife, Hafsat Ganduje; his son, Abdullahi Umar; and five others, were scheduled to face eight counts including $413,000 bribery allegation, as well as the redirection and misappropriation of assets amounting to ₦1.38bn.

In court on Wednesday, counsel for the Kano State Government, Y. A. Adamu, enlightened the court regarding the plaintiff’s failure to serve the respondents personally, in this way halting the procedures.

Adamu made attemptt to move an exparte motion application, trying to serve the respondents through substituted means, however counsel to the 6th respondent, Nureini Jimoh, SAN, objected vehemently.

Jimoh challenged the prosecution to finalize their due diligence, underscoring that there was no arrangement for service on criminal charges by exparte motion. He promised to challenge such move at the Court of Appeal.

The presiding judge, Justice Na’abba, adjourned the matter till April 29, 2024 for additional proceedings.

Reacting to the deferral, a source close to the defence team, communicated frustration, stating, “This delay is unnecessary and only prolongs the legal process. We are eager to clear our names and move forward.”

In the mean-time, allies of the defendants converged outside the courtroom, communicating solidarity and confidence in the legal process.

“We believe in the innocence of our leaders, and we trust that justice will prevail,” one allies remarked.