A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday sacked the Chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission, Sani Malumfashi, for being a member of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party.
The case was filed by Aminu Tiga and the All Progressive Congress.
The defendants in the suit are the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, and 14 others.
Delivering judgement, S.A. Amobede also held that Kabir Zakirai, the secretary of the commission, was not a civil servant and therefore not an officer in the state civil service.
The judge held that Mr Zakirai was not qualified to be appointed to the position pursuant to Section 14 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001.
The judge said, “Whatever the eighth defendant is doing in preparation of the 2024 local government election in Kano State, such as the issuance of election guidelines, circulars, screening of candidates, sale of nomination and expression interest forms, whichever and however, are null and void and of no effect whatsoever. That the 8th to 14th defendants are forthwith disqualified and removed from their positions as chairman and members of the KANSIEC.”
“That they are forthwith restrained from conducting the 2024 local government election in respect of 44 local governments in Kano State until and unless qualified persons are duly appointed.
He then directed the police and other security agencies to forthwith ensure full compliance with the provisions of sections 197 (1) (b), 199 (2) and 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Mr Tiga had argued that Mr Malumfashi, the chairman of the KANSEIC, and others were card-carrying members of the NNPP and in partisan politics, contrary to sections 197 (1) (b) and 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
(NAN)
