APC members drag Zamfara Gov., Lawal to court over illegal dismissal

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has been dragged before the National Industrial Court, Kano Division, for terminating the appointment of nine members of All Progressives Congress (APC) from the state agencies.

Also joined in the suit are Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zamfara State and the Zamfara State house of Assembly as defendants.

The affected APC stalwarts were board members of Zamfara State Public Complaints Commission and Zamfara State Anti-Corruption Commission, appointed by immediate past Governor, Bello Matawalle.

The appointments of nine APC loyalists serving their third years out of their five years’ statutory tenure were dissolved by Governor Lawal in March, immediately after he defeated the ruling APC government in office.

When the matter came up on yesterday for mention, Justice Ebeye David Eseimo-Isele of the Industrial Court reserved the matter till January 17, 2024, for further mention.

The court however allowed counsel to the claimants, Mohammad Shamsudeen, moved a motion on notice for amendment of its application.

Counsels to Governor Lawal and two others did not object to the motion moved by the claimants to amend their application.

Counsel to the claimants, Shamsudeen told journalists that his clients are challenging the Governor and two other defendants for illegal termination of their appointments.

Barrister Shamsudeen argued that the state government erred to have ignored the provisions of the extant laws and act of legislation that clearly stipulated the tenure of members of the two agencies.

On what prayers the claimants are demanding from the state government, Barrister Shamsudeen told journalists that his clients are demanding immediate reinstatement with full payment of their salary arrears and allowances.

In the alternative, Barrister Shamsudeen said the claimants are demanding full payment of the total sum of their salaries, furniture allowances and other entitlement, if they must be ease out of their former appointments.

The case is adjourned till January 17, 2024.