By Anwar Usman
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on has set aside a judgment of the Federal High Court in Kano which nullified the composition of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission and the local government election held on October 26, 2024.
A three-judge panel, led by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, said the Federal High Court did not in any way have the power to hear cases about state electoral bodies and their members.
The court said that these matters should be handled by the Kano State High Court.The court accepted appeals from the Kano State Attorney General, the Kano State House of Assembly, and KASIEC.
It then dismissed the cases at the Federal High Court for lack of authority.
In a related case, the Court of Appeal also over ruled another Federal High Court ruling noting that, the earlier ruling had rejected the list of candidates sent to KASIEC by one faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party for the recent local government election.
The Court of Appeal said the case, which involved a dispute over NNPP leadership and candidate lists from two groups, was not within the Federal High Court’s power to decide.
It added that party leadership and candidate choices cannot be settled in court.