Court Rejects APC’s Application To Stop Conduct Of Kano LG Polls

The suit filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to stop the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC from conducting the forthcoming local government elections in the state, has been dismissed by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano.

An exparte motion filed by the opposition party and one Hon. Aminu Aliyu Tiga through its counsel, Mustapha Idris Esq, N. A. Isa Esq and I. A. Alhassan Esq seeks the court to restrain the electoral body from conducting the elections and also grant an injunction order directing all parties to maintain status quo and stay all further actions or taken further steps about preparation and conduct of the election pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice by the court.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Simon Amobeda refused in an interim the applicant’s prayers, stating that the defendants shall be put on notice to show cause why the prayers shall not be granted.

The defendants in the suit include the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, the Chairman, Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi, Kano State House of Assembly, Kano State Attorney General, Kano State Commissioner of Police, INEC, DSS, NSCDC and six others.

Copy of the court order sighted by Vanguard reads, “That prayers 1 and 2 are refused in the interim to the extent that the Defendants shall be put on Notice to show cause why these prayers shall not be granted.

“That prayer 3 is granted.

“That the time of hearing of the substantive Application is abridged to 5 days from the date of service of the Originating process and Order of this Court on the Defendants.

“That accelerated hearing of this case is hereby ordered, parties shall ensure that necessary processes are promptly filed to expedite the quick hearing and resolution of this matter.

“That no party shall do any act that will prejudice the hearing and quick determination of this matter.

“That Order of this Court and processes together with Hearing Notice shall be served on the Defendants with proof of same before the adjourned date,” the order reads.

Justice Amobeda however adjourned the case to 4th October 2024 for hearing.

Recall also that the electoral body, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission, KANSiEC had earlier secured a court order restraining APC and 18 other political parties from scuttling the conduct of the local government elections slated for 26th October 2024 in the state.