High Court Refuses Arrest Warrant For Ganduje In Dala Dry Port Ownership Case

According to Ireporter Online, former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje received a temporary reprieve on Wednesday as a State High Court declined an application seeking his arrest over alleged irregularities in the ownership structure of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

Ganduje and three co-defendants are facing a 10-count charge that includes criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, abuse of office, and conflict of interest. The defendants include Ganduje’s former aide, Abubakar Bawuro; his lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda; and the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello.

During the resumed hearing, counsel for the Kano State Government, Ya’u Adamu, requested the court to issue a bench warrant against the defendants, citing their failure to appear in court. Adamu argued that Section 388 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Kano State mandated such action to compel attendance.

However, Justice Yusuf Ubale of State High Court No. 2 at the Audu Bako Secretariat Complex ruled that issuing an arrest warrant at this stage would be premature. Ganduje was represented by A. S. Gadanya (SAN), who, together with other defence lawyers, opposed the application and urged the court to first resolve their preliminary objections.

Ganduje specifically challenged the service of court processes, describing it as defective, unlawful, and ultra vires. The court upheld the defence argument and adjourned the matter to February 23 for the hearing of the preliminary objections.

The prosecution alleges that Ganduje and his co-defendants conspired to fraudulently transfer 80 percent ownership of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the state’s 20 percent equity, to private individuals under the fictitious company “City Green Enterprise.” They are also accused of diverting over ₦4.49 billion in public funds for infrastructure projects at the dry port, including a double carriageway, electricity supply, and perimeter fencing, for personal and family gain.

The defendants are further charged with abusing their offices and creating conflicts of interest by redirecting public resources in violation of financial and constitutional regulations. The next hearing, scheduled for February 23, will determine the court’s jurisdiction to proceed with the trial.