The Federal High Court in Abuja, has extended the time for the Kano State government to defend allegations regarding the disbursement of funds belonging to the 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The court had earlier declined an application seeking to bar Governor Abba Yusuf from spending the funds in question.
The application, filed by the 44 LGAs and the Kano State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) on December 27, accused the governor of planning to tamper with funds allocated to the LGAs. The LGAs, largely from the All-Progressives Congress (APC), alleged that the governor was disbursing funds without their knowledge.
In response, the court ordered the defendants, including the Kano State government, the Attorney-General, and the Accountant General of Kano, to appear before Justice Donatus Okorowo on Wednesday to show cause why interim restraining orders should not be granted.
During the proceedings, the plaintiff’s counsel, Ibrahim Aliyu Nasarawa, noted that the defendants were directed to show cause within three days but had not done so. He urged the court to restrain the Kano state government pending the determination of the case.
The counsel for the Kano state government, Afeez Matanmi, entered a memorandum of conditional appearance and explained the need for certified true copies of all processes before responding. Matanmi argued that the government could refund the disputed funds if necessary.
The court acknowledged the public holidays affecting the three-day timeframe for the defendants to respond. Justice Okorowo granted a seven-day extension for the defendants to show cause why the orders sought should not be made absolute.
The court adjourned to January 11, providing the Kano state government with an opportunity to present its case and respond to the allegations regarding the disbursement of funds belonging to the LGAs.
