Kano Court Restrains EFCC From Arresting Kwankwaso, Associates

A High Court of Kano State, presided over by Justice Yusuf Ubale Muhammad, has issued an interim order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, detaining, harassing, or intimidating the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, along with seven other persons.

The ruling came after an ex parte motion was filed before the court on June 5, 2024. The applicants in the case include the NNPP, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, Dipo Olayanku, Ahmed Balewa, Chief Clement Anele, Lady Folashade Aliu, Eng. Buba Galadima, and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

They sought the court’s protection against potential actions by the EFCC that they deemed to be infringements on their fundamental rights.

Justice Muhammad’s order specifically restrained the EFCC and its representatives from engaging in any form of coercion against the applicants, ensuring their liberty until the court hears the motion on notice.

“An interim order of injunction is hereby granted, restraining the respondent, either by itself, its agents, representatives, cronies, or whosoever acting on its behalf, from arresting, detaining, harassing, intimidating, inviting, or in any way infringing on the fundamental rights of the applicants, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed,” the judge declared.

The judge further instructed that all relevant documents and the interim order be served promptly on the EFCC before the next hearing date.

The case has been adjourned to June 24, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice.