Court Rejects APC’s Application on Kano Local Council Election

Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Kano, on Thursday rejected an application by the All Progressives Congress (APC), seeking to stop the conduct of the October 26 local government election in the state.

The judge delivered the ruling in an application filed by Aminu Aliyu-Tiga and APC through their counsel, Mustapha Idris.

The plaintiffs filed the motion on September 20.

They asked the court to restrain the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from conducting the election.

KANSIEC, Kano State House of Assembly, the state’s Attorney-General the Independent National Electoral Commission (IINEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the state Commissioner of Police, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) state commandant were listed as respondents in the suit.

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

The judge rejected the application, stating that the respondents shall be put on notice to show cause why the prayers shall not be granted.

He also granted an accelerated hearing of this case.

The judge ordered parties to make sure that necessary processes were quickly filed to expedite the hearing and resolution of this matter.

Justice Amobeda also warned the parties against any act that would prejudice the hearing and quick determination of the matter.

He adjourned the matter till October 4 for a hearing.

The Kano State High Court on September 24 restrained 19 political parties from taking any action that could frustrate the election.