The Kano State High Court, under Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, has postponed the bribery and corruption case against former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, his wife Prof. Hafsat Ganduje, and six others, to January 13, 2025.

The court will address all outstanding preliminary objections at that time.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, the judge urged all lawyers to maintain professionalism and avoid using “street language” in their arguments, whether in civil or criminal cases.

The remark followed a disagreement in which M.N. Duru (SAN), representing the 3rd defendant, Abubakar Bawuro, objected to prosecution counsel Adeola Adedipe’s (SAN) statement suggesting that the defense was intentionally delaying the case.

Duru called on Adedipe to be more careful with his language, as a respected member of the legal profession. Sanusi Musa (SAN), representing the 5th defendant, Jibrilla Muhammad, supported Duru’s request.

Justice Aliyu reminded all counsel of their duty to uphold justice and professionalism. Adedipe later apologized for his comments and requested a brief adjournment.

He also filed an application to withdraw a counter-affidavit dated October 18, 2024.

The case, brought by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), involves serious allegations of corruption, bribery, and the misappropriation of billions of naira in public funds.

The accused include Ganduje, his wife, their son Umar Abdullahi Ganduje (Abba), and several companies.

The House of Representatives has passed for a second reading a bill aimed at amending the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, to introduce mandatory counselling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related offenses.

The bill, sponsored by Hon. Kayode Akiolu, representing Lagos Island II Federal Constituency, seeks to amend Section 67 of the Act by adding three new provisions.

These provisions mandate that judges and magistrates, in addition to sentencing convicts to imprisonment or fines, will require them to undergo a specified period of counselling and training.

Explaining the bill, Hon. Akiolu noted that the mandatory training and counselling would be developed and delivered by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria.

The program, which would last for at least four weeks, aims to address the psychological factors behind corrupt behavior.

Akiolu likened the effort to treating kleptomania, an impulse control disorder, by helping convicts reform and potentially become advocates against corruption.

The bill also proposes that convicts may be asked to cover the cost of their counselling and training, ensuring that there is no additional financial burden on the government.

Akiolu argued that this initiative would align with the criminal justice system’s rehabilitative goals, focusing on reforming offenders rather than just punishing them.

He urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing that it would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption.

“This bill will foster a culture of accountability and help reduce corrupt tendencies,” he stated.

Rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, has stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari should be held accountable for the apparent preference of his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to appoint individuals from the Yoruba ethnic group into prominent government positions.

Speaking at a symposium on human rights in Abuja, Ozekhome argued that the ethnic polarization of Nigeria during Buhari’s administration set a precedent that is now being followed by President Tinubu.

Ozekhome criticized Buhari’s eight-year tenure, accusing the former president of favoring northerners and Muslims in key positions, which he described as “northernisation” of Nigeria.

He pointed out that while some northerners now complain about Tinubu’s appointments, they had been silent when Buhari’s administration predominantly favored people from the north.

“I cried, I wrote articles, and even authored a book titled ‘How Buhari Mismanaged Nigeria.’ Despite the evident marginalization of other regions, many supported Buhari simply because he was from their region, neglecting the broader implications for national unity,” Ozekhome remarked.

At the event, themed “Unity in Diversity: Embracing Freedom, Equality, and Dignity for All,” Ozekhome warned those in power not to exploit ethnic and sectional divides for political gain, stressing the need for true national unity.

He also criticized Nigeria’s 1999 constitution, calling for a new constitution that reflects the diverse views of Nigerians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, the IHRC’s Ambassador-at-Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, spoke on the theme of the symposium, highlighting the importance of embracing Nigeria’s diversity to foster unity.

He acknowledged the challenges posed by ethnic and religious tensions but emphasized that Nigeria’s multicultural composition holds immense potential for promoting national cooperation.

The event also marked the official appointment of new officials for the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will run for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, according to his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Media, Daniel Bwala.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat in Abuja, Bwala dismissed concerns that the ruling party might lose the upcoming election, citing recent developments in Ghana as a comparison.

Bwala emphasized that President Tinubu is focused on fulfilling his mandate to Nigerians, addressing pressing issues like hunger, agricultural reform, and daily struggles of the people.

He assured that the administration’s work will secure the president’s victory in 2027, given the progress made during his first term.

“There is no cause for concern regarding the opposition or external comparisons. President Tinubu is committed to improving the Nigerian economy and addressing citizens’ concerns. The Nigerian electorate cares about real solutions, and that is what this administration is delivering,” Bwala stated.

He added that if President Tinubu remains in good health, he will continue his term according to the constitutional provisions.

Bwala expressed confidence that the electorate will reward the president with a second term, based on his performance and the policies benefiting Nigerians across the country.

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday in Abuja, emphasized that the interests and welfare of the citizens of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger remain a priority for the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

During a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu, who also chairs ECOWAS, assured that the regional body would prioritize diplomacy and wisdom in efforts to reintegrate the three countries into the ECOWAS fold.

Tinubu noted that the leadership of the three countries had been reluctant to present clear transition plans with definitive timelines.

Despite this, he stressed that ECOWAS would continue to lead by example, insisting on democratic processes while ensuring that innocent citizens, who are often the victims of military leadership, are not penalized.

He reaffirmed that ECOWAS would maintain free movement and trade, even if the transition to democracy remained uncertain.

He assured the German president that ECOWAS’ doors would remain open for the return of democracy in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. “We are mindful of the wellbeing of the citizens,” Tinubu said.

“ECOWAS will stand for collaboration and will not tolerate unconstitutional governments.”

German President Steinmeier, in his response, acknowledged the significant impact the reintegration of the three countries would have on both the economy and security of the West African region.

He praised ECOWAS’ diplomatic efforts and urged Tinubu to continue using diplomacy to address the challenges, while preparing emergency plans for future economic cooperation.

Steinmeier also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and the need for a united approach to the security and stability of West Africa.