Kano Supreme Court Judgement Looms as Court Reserves Judgment on Kano Governorship Appeal Amidst Electoral Controversy.
In a pivotal development, the Supreme Court has deferred judgment on an appeal lodged by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, challenging his removal from office by lower courts. The dispute arose following the gubernatorial election where Mr. Yusuf, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), emerged victorious according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, contested the outcome, alleging electoral malpractices. The Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Abuja sided with Gawuna, nullifying Yusuf’s election, setting the stage for the current legal battle.
Kano Supreme Court Judgement Looms
Thursday’s proceedings at the Supreme Court saw a five-member panel, led by Justice John Okoro, adjourning the appeal for judgment. The decision follows rigorous arguments presented by lawyers representing both parties involved. A date for the verdict will be communicated to the legal representatives once it is ready for delivery.
Governor Yusuf’s legal representative, Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued that there was no legal basis for the lower courts to invalidate Yusuf’s election due to alleged non-compliance with electoral guidelines. Olanipekun contended that the cancellation of votes on the grounds of unstamped, undated, or unsigned ballots was unprecedented in Nigeria’s electoral history.
Addressing the court, INEC’s lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, emphasized that all ballots used in the Kano State election belonged to INEC. He challenged the lower courts’ decisions, asserting that they were inconsistent with the Supreme Court’s precedents.
The crux of the matter revolves around the alleged irregularities in ballot processing, particularly the issue of unstamped, undated, and unsigned ballots. Governor Yusuf’s legal team vehemently argued against penalizing their client for the failure of the electoral commission to adhere to guidelines.
Kano Supreme Court Judgement deadline.
The appeal is scheduled to lapse on January 14, 2024, prompting the Supreme Court to deliver its judgment within the statutory 60-day period for governorship election appeals.
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This legal battle has broader implications for the political landscape, questioning the validity of electoral outcomes and the interpretation of constitutional provisions regarding party membership. As the Supreme Court prepares to make its crucial judgment, the controversy surrounding Kano’s governorship election continues to captivate the nation’s attention.
Ejes Gist News will monitor and report on further developments in this high-stakes legal saga.
