By TAIYE AGBAJE

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, struck out an Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s charge against Prof. Sani Malumfashi.

Malumfashi is the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ICPC had sued Malumfashi alongside the commission’s Secretary, Mr Anas Mustapha, and Deputy Director, Accounts, Mr Ado Garba, on alleged laundering to the tune of N1.02 billion.

The anti-corruption agency, in the 10-count charge marked, FHC/ABJ/210/2025, said the defendants committed the offence during the 2024 local government election exercise.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in brief ruling, struck out the charge for lack of diligent prosecution.

Upon resumed hearing on Monday, the case, which was earlier slated for the defendants to take their plea, could not proceed due to the absence of the KANSIEC boss and his co-defendants in court.

Besides, some adjournments had been granted by the court at the instance of the prosecution due to the inability to produce the defendants in court to stand their trial.

At the previous proceedings, the prosecuting counsel, Enosa Omoghibo, an Assistant Director in the Legal Department of the ICPC, informed the court that, “The matter is slated for arraignment, but the defendants were not in court.”

However, the defendants’ counsel, M.A. Magaji, SAN, drew the court’s attention to the fact that there was no proper service on the defendants and submitted that service is both intricate and fundamental to the court’s jurisdiction.

He further stated that, “Failure to duly serve the defendants with the charge sheet and other court documents rendered their physical appearance in court impossible.”

Justice Malik then, adjourned the case until Nov. 24 to enable proper service and ensure that all parties were present for the commencement of full legal proceedings.

However, when the matter was called on Monday for arraignment, the defendants were not in court and the trial judge consequently struck out the matter. (NAN)