Court Hears EFCC, Kwankwaso Case October 24

A Kano State High Court sitting at Court Two has fixed October 24, 2024, for definite hearing of the motion on notice on the fundamental rights suit of the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and seven others.

The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Ubale, yesterday adjoined the sitting following the inability of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to file processes before the court, which stalled the process.

The applicants in the suit are the NNPP, Dr Ajuji Ahmed, Dipo Olayanku, Ahmed Balewa, Chief Clement Anele, Lady Folashade Aliu, Engr. Buba Galadima and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The respondent in the case is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When the matter came up for hearing, counsel to the applicants, Robert Hon told the court that they are ready to proceed with the hearing.

He explained that by the rules of the court, the respondent has five days to file their response, but it was more than 30 days at present.

“They are out of time. We served the respondent on the 10th of June with all the applications in their legal department. My lord this is a fundamental rights suit with a special procedure.”

Therefore, he urged the court to discountenance the respondent‘s application for an adjournment because they did not give a genuine reason for not filing their response and sought the court to adjourn the case for a definite hearing.

The respondent counsel, Idris Haruna, sought for an adjournment to enable them file their responses for fair hearing, noting that, service was effected in Abuja.

“We are very sorry for the inconveniences and applied for another day to enable us file our responses,” he requested.

However, Justice Ubale adjourned the case to October 24, 2024, for definite hearing.

The court had issued an interim order of injunction restraining the EFCC or its agents from arresting, infringing, intimidating, or harassing the applicants until the determination of the motion on notice.