Appeal court

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.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

The Kano state government through the attorney general of the state and the commissioner of justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, urges the public to comply with the appeal court’s judgement.

Yesterday the appeal court has delivered a judgement on the Kano emirate suit in which set aside the judgement of Federal High Court which invalidates the reinstatement coronation of Muhammadu Sanusi || as emir of Kano.

Speaking at a press conference that held on Saturday at NUJ Kano headquarters, the commissioner and attorney general of the states urges all parties in the suit and general public to comply with the court’s judgement.

“On behalf of the Kano State Government, we express our profound satisfaction with the Judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, regarding the Emirate Council matter involving His Highness Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II and other parties.

“The verdict overturned earlier decisions by the Federal High Court and validates the government’s lawful actions regarding the chieftaincy appointments and reforms in the state’s traditional institutions,” he said.

The commissioner said, “Therefore, in strict adherence to the rule of law and in defense of democracy, all public and private institutions, as well as individuals, are required to comply with the Court of Appeal decision and act accordingly to give full effect to the Judgment.”