Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Maiyama Local Council of Kebbi State, Alhaji Adamu Andari, has appealed to the Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Jega to recover 35 bags of fertilisers, 70 bundles of clothes, two bags of rice and N50,000 he gave to two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to canvass votes for him.

Auwal Arosiya and Mai Gari Arosiya were allegedly given the items to canvass votes for Andari during the March 18 governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

The complainant’s counsel, Bashir Umar, said, yesterday, that the defendants should be charged for criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and misappropriation for converting what his client gave them for mass distribution to personal use.

Defendants’ counsel, Haruna Ubandawaki, while raising a preliminary objection to the submission of the complainant’s lawyer, said he wanted the court to determine whether it has jurisdiction to entertain the case, which falls under Section 121 (6) of the Electoral Act and whether the Chief Magistrate has the competence to hear the case.

However, the defendants’ lawyer said his clients, known PDP members, never asked for the items from the APC chieftain.
According to him, going by the electoral law, the complainant is guilty of trying to induce voters.

The case was adjourned till May 15, 2023 for further hearing before Chief Magistrate Adamu Sani.