Again, court refuses bid to stop Kano council poll

Kogi electoral umpire partners media for successful outing

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano, has again, refused to grant an application to stop conduct of council poll in the state. In an ex parte motion, one Engr Muhammed Babayo, a factional member of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), sought an interim injunction to stop the election slated for October 26.

In the suit the plaintiffs, through their lawyer, Dalhatu Shehu Usman, are challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC); Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS).

They are also urging court to grant an order stopping the election pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. Also, they want the court to direct the parties to maintain the status quo, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Justice Simon Amobeda, in the ruling, turned down all the prayers of the plaintiffs. The judge, however, directed the plaintiffs to urgently put the respondents on notice to show cause why their prayers should not be granted.

Justice Amobeda also ordered that the hearing of the suit is abridged to 72 hours from the service of the order of the court and processes, and that the time of filing of all other subsequent processes by the parties, is equally abridged to 48 hours from the service of the same.

The presiding judge, thereby, adjourned the matter to October 16 for hearing of the substantive matter.  State Chairman of the NNPP, Hashim Dungurawa, said the court’s decision had restored hope in the judicial system in ensuring justice, fairness and equity.

Reacting to the ruling, he stated that Babayo’s move was not patriotic; adding more of it would fail. Expressing hope for the ruling party to perform, the chairman urged Kano residents to remain focus and avoid distraction.

Similarly, the Kogi State Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has declared its readiness to conduct credible elections. Its Chairman, Mamman Nda Eri, gave the assurance while receiving State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sheidu Haruna Ademu, and his executive members yesterday in Lokoja.

Speaking on preparedness for the October 19 poll, Eri assured that arrangements had been put in place for a transparent exercise. Earlier, Ademu commended the KOSIEC chairman for his commitment to transparency via engagements with stakeholders, stressing that the synergy between the electoral body and the media was crucial for successful outing.