Court Declines APC’s Bid To Stop Kano LG Polls

A Federal High Court in Kano has rejected an ex parte motion filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from conducting the forthcoming local government elections.

The APC, alongside Hon. Aminu Aliyu Tiga, had filed the motion through its counsel, seeking an order to restrain KANSIEC from continuing preparations for the elections.

The party also requested an injunction to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the substantive case.

However, in a ruling delivered by Justice Simon Amobeda, the court refused the prayers for an interim injunction, instead directing the defendants to be put on notice.

The defendants in the case include KANSIEC, its chairman, Prof. Sani Lawal Malumfashi, Kano State House of Assembly, the state’s Attorney General, the Commissioner of Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and six others.

“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,” Justice Amobeda ruled, while granting an accelerated hearing of the case.

The case has been adjourned to October 4, 2024, for hearing, with the judge ordering that all necessary court processes be expedited to ensure a quick resolution.

The court further directed that no actions should be taken by any party that could prejudice the outcome of the case.

LEADERSHIP recalls that KANSIEC had previously obtained a court order restraining the APC and 18 other political parties from disrupting the elections, which are scheduled to hold on October 26, 2024.