Justice Usman Na’abba of a Kano High Court will on May 16 rule on the request by the state government to serve a ‘fraud charge’ slammed on former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Ganduje and six others, through substituted means.

Lawyer representing the state government, Adeola Adernment to serve a ‘fraud charge’ slammed on former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Ganduje and six others, through substituted means. Lawyer representing the state government, Adeola edegbe, told the judge that the request for substituted service was due to the inability of the prosecution to effect personal service of the charge on Ganduje and others.

He made reference to a Kano state law that allows service in criminal cases to be made using substitute means. Responding, lawyer representing the 6th respondent (Lamash Properties Limited), Nuraini Jimoh (SAN), argued that respondents in a criminal case cannot be served through substituted means. He described the Kano State law which permits service through substituted means as ‘ultra vires’, saying it is inferior to the Constitution that restricts such action.

The lawyer further argued that there is no charge before the court against the respondents as the application before it reads, “Application to prepare a charge”. After listening to the submissions of parties, Justice Na’abba adjourned further hearing in the matter to 16th May, 2024 for ruling on the contentious issue.