Kebbi guber tussle: Court hears pre-election case January 11

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

A Federal High Court, Abuja has adjourned till January 11th, 2018, for hearing on a pre-election election matter between incumbent Governor Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of All Progressive Congress (APC) and Major General Bello Yaki (Rtd) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Presiding judge Justice Mohammed Ahmed also acknowledged the withdrawal of second Plaintiff in the suit, Sani Sami who informed the court that he deposed an affidavit last November to that effect.

It would be recalled that prior to 2015 gubernatorial election in the state, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Major Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (Rtd) alongside two other persons; Mr. Anthony Itanyi and Sahabi Sami filed a suit at  Federal High Court, Abuja praying that the candidature of Alh. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu should be nullified. The case with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS312/2015 also has All Progressive Congress (APC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

The plaintiffs categorically claimed that Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of the APC, is wanted in the United States of America, over his involvement in the looting of millions of dollars during the reign of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.

Governor Bagudu filed preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of Federal High Court to entertain the matter.  The matter was appealed to Supreme Court which later ruled that not only that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to hear the case but also ordered for an accelerated hearing on the matter.
In his reaction, the Kebbi State PDP Chairman, Haruna Saidu expressed satisfaction on the apex court ruling for speedy hearing adding that he has confidence in the nation’s judiciary that justice would be done in the matter.
Similarly, counsel to the plaintiff, Tochukwu Maduka, said the Supreme Court ruling was a welcome development and the matter would be pursued vigorously to a logical conclusion.