The Federal High Court in Kano has granted an ex parte order restraining the implementation of the suspension of Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All-Progressives Congress (APC), by his ward executives.
The ruling came a day after a state High Court, which has coordinated jurisdiction, affirmed Mr Ganduje’s suspension.
Despite the Kano High Court order, Mr Ganduje filed an ex parte motion seeking to enforce his fundamental right to fair hearing. The respondents in the application include the Police, State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and nine other individuals.
On April 16, the APC executives in Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area announced the suspension of the former governor over alleged corruption. Subsequently, the State Working Committee of the APC in Kano nullified the suspension and vowed to take legal action against the ward executives responsible for the suspension.
On Wednesday, a Kano High Court presided over by Justice Usman Na’Abba upheld the suspension. However, in the latest ex parte order granted on Thursday by Justice A.M Liman of the Federal High Court, the court ignored the state High Court order, saying the purported suspension should not be implemented until the case is heard and determined.
Justice Liman stated that all the respondents, their servants, agents, or privies are restrained from implementing and/or giving effect to the purported decision reached during the purported emergency meeting of the alleged executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, held at Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area. The court also mandated all the parties to maintain status quo before the purported emergency meeting of the alleged executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, and to stay action in respect of this matter pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.
The court has fixed April 30 for continuation of the case.
