Counsel to Ali Musa Danmalki, the NNPP flagbearer in the last Kano LG polls in Kumbotso Local Government, Barrister Jazuli Mustapha has expressed outrage over alleged KANSIEC’s flagrant violation of court order.
Speaking to Journalists on Friday. regarding the development, Barrister Mustapha said despite
the Kano State High Court’s ruling that no one should be sworn in pending appeal challenging the court judgment, stressing that KANSIEC went ahead and swore in the Ghali the purported NNPP candidate just hours later.¹
He also said the court by its ruling on 14th of November ordered local government employees in Kumbotso LGA to continue to manage the LGA’s affairs until the appeal is resolved.
The Counsel noted that the situation raises serious concerns about the rule of law and integrity of the electoral process in Kano State.
He also said it is duty upon every person to protect the sanctity of the court.
Barrister Jazuli Mustapha hinted that his client, Ali Musa Danmalki through his counsel approached the Kano High Court No 4 presided over by Justice Usman Malam Na.abba, sought for declarative reliefs, after a wrongful substitution of his name, after nominated, screened, cleared and purchased the nomination form to contest for the position of Chairman in Kumbotso LGA during the exercise in Kano.
He also maintained Mr. Danmalki further prayed the court to affirmed that that he is the rightful candidate of NNPP and to declare that substituting his name with Abdullahi Ghali after being screened and purchased the nomination form is flagrant violation of electoral processes, seeking the court to declare him as rightful candidate during the Kumbotso LGA poll.
The Counsel maintained that the Presiding Judge Justice Na.abba after the hearing submissions of lawyers from both parties on 24th October, 2024 he delivered ruling the following day 25th October, 2024 and consequently answered all the prayers requested by the plaintiff and affirmed him as a rightful candidate to contest for the position of Chairman in Kumbotso LGA during the poll.
Dissatisfying with the ruling, Abdullahi Ghali and NNPP appealed against the judgment, claiming erred and miscarriage of justice in the lower court judgment.
According to Barrister Jazuli Mustapha Mr. Ghali filed a motion prayed the court to set aside its ruling, while NNPP filed a motion seeking the court to grant stay of execution.
In his ruling delivered on 14 Nov. consequently, Justice Naabba refused prayers to set aside earlier judgment defendants and affirmed plaintiff as the rightful candidate to contest in the Kumbotso Local Government under the platform of NNPP.
The lawyer further expressed his worry with the action of KANSIEC hours after court ruling.
He highlighted that he will consult his client for further action.
