Reasons have emerged for the Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday sacked the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission(KANSIEC), Prof. Sani Malumfashi.
According to the court ruling, Malumfashi is a card-carrying member of the Ruling New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP.
Recall that one Aminu Tiga and the All Progressive Congress (APC) had filed a case against KANSIEC at the court.
The Plaintiffs also joined the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi,
and 14 others.
However, delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice S.A Amobede, held that Kabir Zakirai, the Secretary of the Commission was not a civil servant. Therefore, he was not an officer in the Kano State Civil Service.
Justice Amobede held that Zakirai was not qualified to be appointed to the position under section 14 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001.
He said, “Whatever the eighth defendant is doing in preparation for the 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State such as issuance of election guidelines, circulars, screening of candidates, sale of nomination and expression interest forms, whichever, and howsoever, are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
“That, the 8th to 14th defendants are forthwith disqualified. And are removed from their positions as Chairman and members of the I* Defendants.”
“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 dully appointed.
The judge than 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).
NAN reports that Tiga had argued that Prof. Malumfashi, the Chairman of the KANSEIC and others were card-carrying members of the NNPP. And that they were in partisan politics contrary to the section 197 (1) (b) and section 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
source: Vanguard
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