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Tag: Court

  • Court rejects APC’s application to stop conduct of Kano LG polls

    Court rejects APC’s application to stop conduct of Kano LG polls

    A Federal High Court in Kano has refused an application by the All Progressives Congress(APC), seeking to stop the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission(KANSIEC) from conducting the Oct. 26 local government elections in the state.

    The applicants  Aminu Aliyu-Tiga and APC through his counsel, Mustapha Idris, filed a motion exparte dated Sept.18 and filed Sept.20.

    The applicant’s are seeking the court to restrain KANSIEC from conducting the elections and also grant an injunction order directing all parties to maintain status quo.

    The respondents are KANSIEC, Kano State House of Assembly, Attorney General Kano State, INEC, DSS, Commissioner of Police Kano and NSCDC state Commandant.

    Others are Anas Muhammad-Mustapha, Prof Sani Lawal-Malumfashi, Mukhtar Garba-Dandago, Isyaku Kunya, Shehu Kura, Kabiru Zakirai and Aminu Inuwa-Fagge.

    Justice Simon Amobeda, refused the applicants prayers stating that the respondents shall be put on notice to show cause why the prayers shall not be granted.

    The court also approved an accelerated hearing of this case.

    The judge ordered parties to ensure that necessary processes were promptly filed to expedite the quick hearing and resolution of this matter.

    The judge also ordered that no party shall do any act that will prejudice the hearing and quick determination of this matter.

    Amobeda adjourned the matter until Oct.4, for hearing.

    NAN reports that a Kano State High Court on Sept.24, restrained 19 political parties from taking any action that could scuttle or frustrate the forthcoming Local Government Elections in the State.

  • We’re ready to engage Yahaya Bello in court – EFCC

    We’re ready to engage Yahaya Bello in court – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is ready to engage former Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, in court over the fraud allegation of N8.2 billion against him.

    EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, that Bello must have his day in court.

    He said that just like other indicted former ministers, ex-governors, several top government officials, captains of industries, internet fraudsters facing trial, Bello would not be an exemption.

    ”EFCC is eager to engage the former governor in the courtroom, where the avalanche of evidence so painstakingly assembled can be presented,” he said.

    He said that attempt to frustrate the ongoing investigation and prosecution of the alleged fraud case would not work.

    Oyewale said the anti-graft agency was ready to provide all evidence to prove its case in court.

    ”Bello must have his day in court, no matter the recourse to blackmail, appeal to emotive public sympathy or acts of brigandage.

    ”The EFCC will continue with its no sacred cow policy, no matter whose ox is gored,” he said.

    He said since the former governor would not submit himself to EFCC office for questioning, “the appropriate place of surrender would be before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    “Before whom his legal team had undertaken to produce him to answer to the 18-count money laundering charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.”

    According to him, the commission remains committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in the money laundering charges already filed against Bello in Court.

    ”The EFCC is not unaware of the fact that corruption fights back.

    ”Bello must have his day in court, no matter the recourse to blackmail, appeal to emotive public sympathy or acts of brigandage.

    ”The EFCC is not running a circus show. Corruption issues should not be turned into a theatre of the absurd.

  • Court adjourns arraignment as Yahaya Bello heads to Supreme Court

    Court adjourns arraignment as Yahaya Bello heads to Supreme Court

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, adjourned the arraignment of former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi until Oct. 30

    The adjournment by Justice Emeka Nwite came as ex-Gov. Bello moved to the Supreme Court to file an appeal seeking to set aside the arrest warrant issued by the trial court on April 17 against him.

    NAN reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 19-count money laundering charge against Bello.

    Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, Bello’s Counsel, A.M. Adoyi, drew the attention of the court to the fact that the issue of arraignment of the defendant was the subject matter of an appeal already entered by him at the Supreme Court.

    He said he would like to draw the court’s attention to the appeal by virtue of the affidavit of record filed on Sept. 23.

    “The appeal number is SC/CR/847/2024 and SC/CR/848/2024.

    “That means the most appropriate thing to do is to await the decision of the Supreme Court in the aforesaid appeal before taking any step for arraignment so as not to render the appellant’s appeal null or to pull the rug out of the feet of the Supreme Court,” he said.

    But EFCC’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, told the court that the defendant’s lawyers were turning the court into a place for entertainment.

    “Secondly, an appeal the defendant filed at the Court of Appeal disputing the mode of service of the charge and proof of evidence on their counsel was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on the 28th of August this year.

    “The Court of Appeal said the mode of service was good and proper service. The court ruled that the appellant shall not take any further step until he submits himself. But they took another step,” he said.

    The former governor had, on Sept. 18, submitted himself to the EFCC accompanied by Gov. Usman Ododo, his successor, but the EFCC reportedly refused to interrogate or detain him.

    It was later reported that EFCC operatives allegedly laid siege on the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja to arrest Bello at night.

    Arguing against the defendant’s applications seeking an order vacating the arrest warrant, Pinheiro said, “They have three applications on this – two before your lordship and one before the Supreme Court.

    “I will now urge your lordship to demonstrate audacity of coercive power on him (Adoyi) for filing same application.”

    Adoyi, however, argued that the life issue of the matter slated for today (Wednesday), which was the arraignment, “is subject to an appeal by the defendant at the Supreme Court.”

    “In the interest of justice, we should await the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue,” he urged the court.

    Justice Emeka Nwite said, with the submissions made by the counsel, he would have to decide the issues raised in one way or the other.

    He said he would have to adjourn to rule on the matter.

    Justice Nwite therefore adjourned the matter until Oct. 30 for ruling and arraignment.

  • Court hears Philip Shaibu’s contempt charge against Omobayo Oct. 24

    Court hears Philip Shaibu’s contempt charge against Omobayo Oct. 24

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed Oct. 24 for the hearing of a contempt charge filed by the reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, against Godwins Omobayo, over alleged refusal to obey court judgment.

    Justice James Omotosho fixed the date after Shaibu’s counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, informed the court that a contempt charge had been filed for the committal of Omobayo, who took over as deputy governor, to prison due to his refusal to comply with the valid order of the court.

    Justice Omotosho equally ordered that Omobayo be served with all the court documents, including Form 49, filed on Sept. 19 in order to be given the opportunity to purge himself of the contempt charge.

    “This matter is hereby adjourned to 24th day of October for hearing of the motion on notice dated 13th September and filed 19th September seeking for committal of Engr Marvellous Godwins Omobayo and to give him opportunity to defend himself.

    “I hereby made an order that the motion be served on Marvelous Godwins Omobayo to enable him file necessary defence ,” the judge said.

    Earlier, Egwuaba prayed for a short adjournment since the current state government’s tenure would be coming to an end on Nov. 12.

    The lawyer said the court judgment delivered on July 17 was duly served on Omobayo and that several letters were also written to the house of assembly but to no effect.

    NAN earlier reported that Justice Omotosho, on Tuesday, also struck out the two separate motions filed by the Edo Government and the house of assembly challenging the reinstatement of Shaibu as deputy governor.

    The judge, in a ruling, also awarded the cost of N200, 000 each against the state government and the assembly, making a total of N400, 000.

    The development followed an application by lawyer to the state’s Attorney-General (AG), Marvin Omorogbe, and that of the house of assembly, Sonia Egbunia, seeking to withdraw the motions for stay of execution.

    They said the intention to withdraw the motion was as a result of the records of appeal which had been transmitted to the Court of Appeal.

    Although Egwuaba, who appeared for Shaibu did not opposed their intention to withdraw the two motions, he, however, asked the court for a N50 million cost each against the AG (3rd defendant) and the assembly (6th defendant) but the judge awarded the sum of N400, 000 against the two defendants.

    NAN reports that Justice Omotosho had, on July 17, voided the impeachment of Shuaibu as the deputy governor of Edo by the house of assembly.

    The judge, in the judgment, ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the house of assembly failed to comply with due process in the purported impeachment.

    Justice Omotosho also held that the allegation on which the assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and did not constitute a gross misconduct.

    The judgment was on the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/478/2024 with Shuaibu as the plaintiff.

    The reinstated deputy governor had sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Deputy Governor of Edo, the AG, Chief Judge of Edo, Speaker of Edo House of Assembly and the Edo State House of Assembly as 1st to 6th defendants respectively.

    Omobayo was, on April 8, sworn in as the new deputy governor after Shaibu’s impeachment by the state’s house of assembly.

  • Yahaya Bello advised to avail self in court Wednesday

    Yahaya Bello advised to avail self in court Wednesday

    The embattled former governor of Kogi Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has been advised to to avail himself in court on Wednesday over alleged N80.2bn money laundering case.

    The former Kogi governor has been having a running-battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N80.2bn fraud.

    A source close to the commission on Monday told NAN that Bello’s appearance at Federal High Court in Abuja, where the anti-graft agency is trying him, would enable him take his plea.

    The trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, at the last sitting held that proceedings would continue in spite of the appeal filed by the defendant before the Court of Appeal.

    The court subsequently adjourned the matter till Sept. 25, for arraignment.

    According to the source, this will be the last opportunity for the former governor  to take his plea if he can make himself available in court.

    The source said this would afford him the opportunity to take his plea regarding the 19-count charges filed against him over the alleged fraud.

    Bello has avoided court sessions scheduled for his arraignment for at least five times, specifically on April 18, April 23, May 10, June 13 and July 17.

    It would be recalled that the court on April 17, issued a warrant for his arrest.

    However, operatives of the EFCC’s  attempt to effect his arrest at his residence in Wuse District, Abuja was frustrated by the police attached to the premises.

    Subsequently, the EFCC declared Bello wanted.

    The source described the new date fixed for the former governor to appear before the court and take his plea as “only saving grace and last opportunity”.

    “The only saving grace and last opportunity is for him to show up in court on Wednesday, Sept. 25,  to take his plea.

    ”The commission is not perturbed about all his moves because charges have been drafted against him already and his delay tactics about taking his plea could only worsen his case.

    “His last opportunity is to make himself available in court. That is the only thing that can help his case,” the source said.

    It would be recalled that Ohaire Michael Media aide to Bello, in a statement last week said that the former governor was ready to honour the EFCC invitation to clear his name as he had nothing to hide.

    Bello according to the source, came to the EFCC but he was turndown due to his perceived calculated moves to compromise the operational procedures of the EFCC.

    This he said by breaching codes spelt out in the Standard Operating Procedures of the commission.

    “The EFCC is a highly professional agency with strict guidelines about arrest, bail, surrender of wanted suspects, investigation and prosecution.

    “Bello came carrying himself like an emperor in an environment where he is a suspect.

    “Besides, the commission reportedly stumbled on some intelligence regarding his motives for surrender which could jeorpadise his trial eventually.

    “All these made the chairman, Ola Olukoyede to act swiftly and turned down his contrived surrender offer,” another source said

    The EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that the new court session had been slated for Wednesday but declined further comments on the matter.

  • Access Bank faces N100m lawsuit over alleged unlawful deductions

    Access Bank faces N100m lawsuit over alleged unlawful deductions

    A legal practitioner, Mr Junaid Sanusi who is a customer of Access Bank Plc, has sued the bank for N100 million for allegedly deducting his money unlawfully. While arguing his originating summons before the Federal High Court at Ibadan on Monday, Sanusi informed the court that he operated a savings account with Access Bank Plc.

    He said that while going through his account he discovered that the bank was deducting more than N50 as an electronic levy stipulated by the Finance Act, 2019.

    “What is provided in the Finance Act is that banks should deduct N50 one-off for transactions above N10,000. I noticed that the bank deducts N100, N250 and so on from my account as FGN electronic levy,” the bank customer said.

    Sanusi told the court that any deduction on customers’ accounts must be subjected to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines 2020, and other Financial Institution Acts. He pointed out that these guidelines remained the only law allowing banks to make deductions from customers’ accounts.

    “The court needs to determine whether or not it is lawful for the defendant to make unauthorised deductions from my account in favour of FGN or another third party than the one allowed under the CBN guidelines and Finance Act for bank charges,” Sanusi said.

    He went on to inform the court that he relied on his filed affidavit, nine exhibits and a written address in support of his originating summons.

    Sanusi then urged the court to grant all his prayers. He asked it to restrain Access Bank from making further deductions on his account and reverse the monies deducted unlawfully from his account from March 27, 2020.

    ”This should be until judgment is delivered in the suit. Court should also order the bank to pay N100 million to me as exemplary damages for wrongful deductions it made in favour of FGN without my authorisation,” Sanusi said.

    In his reply, the counsel to Access Bank, Mr Ahmed Adeleke, informed the court that he had filed a counter-affidavit, attached exhibits and a written address to argument his case.

    He told the court that the bank reviewed the plaintiff’s three months’ statement of account between March 1, 2020 and May 29, 2020 to justify the deductions made.

    Adeleke said the bank never charged more than the amount stipulated by the law going by the plaintiff’s transactions within the months under review. He then urged the court to discountenance the plaintiff’s case with substantial cost. Justice Uche Agomog adjourned the case until Nov. 12 for judgment.

  • Court dismisses Northern APC suit seeking Ganduje’s removal as national chairman

    Court dismisses Northern APC suit seeking Ganduje’s removal as national chairman

    Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    The suit instituted against Ganduje by the APC North Central Group was thrown out on Monday by the Judge on various grounds.

    Among others, Justice Ekwo held that the APC North Central Group is not a juristic person having not been registered in law and therefore has no legal power and capacity to file the suit.

    The Judge also held that the plaintiff failed to explore the internal mechanism for peaceful resolution of issues before rushing to court.

    Besides, Justice Ekwo held that the appointment of officers for APC by its National Executive Committee is an internal affair of the party which no court can dabble into.

    The Northern Central APC Group had dragged Ganduje, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC before the court praying for nullification of Ganduje’s appointment by the APC on the ground of gross violations of the party’s Constitution.

    Specifically, the North Central APC group claimed that the appointment of Ganduje breached Article 13 of the APC Constitution because it was not done through a democratic process enshrined in the party’s law.

    The plaintiff, the North Central APC Forum led by Saleh Zazzaga, had filed the suit to query the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as the National Chairman of the APC when he is not from the North Central geo-political zone, whose turn was to fill the position.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, the plaintiff listed Ganduje, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as the 1st to the 3rd defendants respectively.

    The plaintiff in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, asked the court to, among others, restrain Ganduje from further parading himself as the chairman of the APC.

    It also prayed the court to issue an order directing INEC not to accord recognition to all actions taken by the APC, including congresses, primaries and nominations, since Ganduje became APC Chairman on August 3, 2023.

    The plaintiff contended among others, that Ganduje is occupying the office of the APC chairman illegally, not being from a state in the North Central geo-political zone.

    It argued that the APC’s National Executive Committee, NEC, breached the party’s constitution when it appointed Ganduje, from Kano State in the North West geo-political zone to replace Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geo-political zone.

    It also argued that Ganduje’s appointment to replace Abdullahi was contrary to Article 13.5(1) f of the APC constitution and ultra-vires the powers of the NEC of the party, among other prayers.

    Justice Ekwo while dismissing the suit, however, held that there was no cause of action against the defendants since the plaintiff has no power under any known law to Institute any case in any Nigerian court.

     

     

  • Alleged perjury: Court adjourns case against Okpebholo indefinitely

    Alleged perjury: Court adjourns case against Okpebholo indefinitely

    A Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Friday, adjourned hearing in the case filed against Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s governorship candidate in the Saturday election in Edo, indefinitely.

    Magistrate Abubakar Mukhtar adjournment followed an order of Justice O.C. Agbaza of the FCT High Court granting leave for Okpebholo to file an application for the judicial review of Mukhtar’s criminal summons against him.

    Justice Agbaza, who granted the motion ex-parte moved by Okpebholo’s lawyer, Adaze Emwanta, adjourned the matter until Oct. 28 for hearing.

    NAN reports that the magistrate had, on Sept. 12, summoned Okpebholo for allegedly making a false statement on his date of birth.

    The APC candidate was asked to appear before the court at 12 noon today, Sept. 20, by Mukhtar.

    He was accused of claiming conflicting dates of birth in his nomination forms submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest the election.

    The case, with suit no CR/W22/816/2024 before the magistrate, was instituted by an indigene of Edo, Honesty Aginbatse.

    Against this order, Okpebholo, through his lawyer, Emwanta, filed a suit before the FCT High Court.

    The applicant listed Mr Aginbatse and Mukhtar, who is Magistrate Grade 1 in the FCT, as  1st and 2nd respondents.

    After the ex-parte motion was moved, Justice Agbaza granted the two reliefs sought.

    However, when the matter was called on Friday at the Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 2, neither Aginbatse nor Okpebholo was in court.

    Lawyer to Aginbatse (complainant), R.O. Azinye, told the court that the matter was slated for mention.

    Azinye informed the court that the defendant (Okpebholo) had not been served despite several attempts to do so.

    He said in view of that, he had filed a motion ex-parte for substituted service on Okpebholo.

    But before the lawyer proceeded to adopt his application, the magistrate drew his attention to the order of the FCT High Court that granted leave for judicial review.

    Mukhtar held that following the order for a judicial review of the summons issued against Okpebholo, the case be adjourned sine die (indefinitely) pending the determination of the motion on notice pending before the FCT High Court.

    NAN reports that Okpebholo’s motion, dated and filed on Sept. 17 sought two orders pursuant to Section 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended); Orders 44 Rule 3 and 43 Rule 1 of FCT High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2018 anf under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

    The prayers included “an order granting the applicant leave to file an application for judicial review involving an Order of Certiorari against the order of the 2nd respondent; in issuing criminal summons against the applicant, upon the charge/request of the 1st respondent herein.

    “An order granting leave for the applicant to file an application for judicial review involving an Order of Prohibition against the order of the 2nd respondent; in issuing criminal summons against the applicant, upon the charge/request of the 1st respondent herein.”

    In the 11-ground of arguments filed by his lawyer, the APC candidate said the order issuing criminal summons against him over alleged date of birth forgery was made by Mukhtar without caution and due diligence.

    He averred that the charge was contrived by Aginbatse as a ploy to scandalise his image ahead of the Saturday’s poll and to prevent him from presenting himself a d a candidate in the election.

    He said the allegations made on the face of the charge before the magistrate had earlier been resolved at the registry of the Supreme Court by virtue of a Deed Pool and gazetted in the official gazette of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Aug. 1.

    Okpebholo said on Sept. 12 at about 5pm, his attention was drawn to a criminal summons against him and signed by the magistrate which was flying on the social meda.

    He said he observed that the magistrate ordered the summons in respect of an allegation of making false statement concerning his date of birth for which he had already done a Deed of Regularisation.

    Besides, he said the aforesaid document bearing his name as accused person was not served on him, but was immediately posted on the social media to scandalise his public image ahead of the gubernatorial polls.

    Okpebholo said the hearing of the criminal summons was intentionally fixed on September 20 (Friday), the eve of the election, as a ploy to prevent him from presenting himself as a candidate in the polls.

  • Group drags Tinubu’s Minister to court over alleged N2bn financial infractions

    Group drags Tinubu’s Minister to court over alleged N2bn financial infractions

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Ken Ohanenye, is again in the eyes of the storm as she was accused of allegedly siphoning N2billion meant for the empowerment of the women in the country.

    A group, identified as Concerned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has dragged Ohanenye and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to an Enugu High Court, seeking an order of the court compelling the minister to account for the whooping N2billion.

    The plaintiffs in the case- Ambassador Onyinye Joy Mamah, suing for herself and on behalf of Heroine Women Foundation and Other Affected Nigerian Women and Amaka-Ajuzie Ogbu, for herself and on behalf of Net Bridge Empowerment Foundation, are asking Ohanenye to also account for $100M intervention funds granted to the ministry by the World Bank in aid of distressed Nigerian women.

    The petitioners on behalf of themselves and Nigerian women expressed disappointment at the minister for siphoning intervention funds meant for the emancipation of the Nigerian women.

    The petitioners said various actions of the Women Affairs ministry by Ohanenye raised serious questions about the management of funds meant for vulnerable Nigerian women and and children.

    They described the minister’s application of the various intervention funds available to the ministry as not only flawed but exploitative.

    They demanded that Ohanenye provide a full and transparent account of how N2billion was utilised.

    Similarly, they requested the anti-graft agency to investigate and hold Ohanenye accountable for the misuse of public funds under her custody.

    The petitioners said, “Over the years, the minister has diverted an estimated N2billion from various critical projects within her ministry under the guise of empowerment into questionable initiatives. The minister allegedly appoints the contractors for these initiatives, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.”

    “We highlight the following examples of these so called empowerment projects: Purchase of Keke tricycles: The minister has proudly touted the purchase of just seven tricycles for women, from she now demands daily payments.”

    “Purchase of Iron dubbed Steaming Machines and scissors dubbed cutting machines at exorbitant rates of N680,000 per iron and N160,000 naira per scissors.”

    “Faceless Benefiaries: A significant number of beneficiaries of these initiatives remain unidentified, leading us to question whether these individuals even exist or if the funds have been misappropriated.”

    “Furthermore, we are in possession of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the minister with organizers of an event which she recently disrupted claiming ignorance of the event.”

    “The organisers alleged that the minister reneged on the alleged revenue sharing formula few days to the event after they have had committed substantial funds to the event. They were then threatened with disruption unless they complied with her new terms. This type of extortionate behavior is unacceptable and undermines the credibility of the ministry.”

    “We demand that the Minister of Women Affairs provide a full and transparent account of how the N2billion was utilised. It’s imperative that the funds allocated for the empowerment of women are used for their purpose and not as a tool for personal enrichment.”

    “We call on relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the minister’s activities and hold her accountable for any misuse of public funds. The time has come to put an end to the exploitation of women and children under the guise of empowerment.”

    Meanwhile, in the affidavit sworn to by Mamah and Ogbu, at Enugu High Court, they deposed that, “Not long ago during the regime of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a loan facility amounting to N100billion had been made available to this country by World Bank for use to better the lives of women.”

    “The fund was wholly dissipated and none had gotten to the end users, i.e. the impoverished women of Nigeria, all that they heard was that the whole of N100M had been spent on consultancies, seminars and such other inanities.”

  • Court shifts judgment in suit seeking Ganduje’s sack as APC chair

    Court shifts judgment in suit seeking Ganduje’s sack as APC chair

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, shifted the judgment in a suit seeking the removal of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Sept. 23.

    NAN reports that the matter, which was earlier fixed for today, was not on the cause list.

    It was gathered that the parties in the suit had  earlier been reached by the court registrar for a new date because the judgement was not ready.

    “We have already called the parties on phone to inform them of the development. A new date is next week, September 23,” a reliable source said.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo had, on July 5, fixed today (Sept. 18) for the judgment.

    Justice Ekwo fixed the date after counsel to the plaintiff, Benjamin Davou; and lawyers to the defence adopted their processes and made their submission for and against the case.

    The plaintiff; the North Central APC Forum, led by Saleh Zazzaga, had filed the suit to queried the propriety of Ganduje’s appointment as the Chairman of the APC when he is not from the North Central geo-political zone.

    In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/599/2024, the plaintiff listed Ganduje, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    The plaintiff wants the court to, among others, restrain Ganduje from further parading himself as the chairman of the APC.

    It also prays the court to issue an order directing INEC not to accord recognition to all actions taken by the APC, including congresses, primaries and nominations, since Ganduje became APC Chairman on August 3, 2023.

    The plaintiff is contending among others, that Ganduje is occupying the office of the APC chairman illegally, not being from a state in the North Central geo-political zone.

    It argued that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the APC breached the party’s constitution when it appointed Ganduje, from Kano State in the North West geo- political zone to replace Sen. Abdullahi Adamu from Nasarawa State in the North Central geo-political zone.

    It also argued that Ganduje’s appointment to replace Abdullahi was contrary to Article 31.5(1) f of the APC constitution and ultra vires the powers of the NEC of the party, among other reliefs.