Federal High Court Halts Ward’s Attempt to Suspend Ganduje

The Federal High Court in Kano has intervened to prevent the purported suspension of Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by the Ward executive of Ganduje Ward. This decision comes in response to Ganduje’s legal action seeking the enforcement of his right to a fair hearing, as outlined in Suit No. FHC/KN/CS/122/2024.

The respondents named in Ganduje’s application include the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and nine other individuals.

The controversy arose when the Ganduje ward executive announced Ganduje’s suspension over allegations of corruption. However, the State Working Committee of the APC in Kano swiftly nullified this suspension and took disciplinary action against the ward executives.

Despite this, a Kano High Court judge, Usman Na’Abba, upheld the ward’s decision to suspend Ganduje on the same day.

In response to Ganduje’s plea, the Federal High Court issued an ex parte order on Wednesday, effectively halting the implementation of the suspension until the case is heard and determined. The order, delivered by Judge A.M Liman, instructed all parties to maintain the status quo and refrain from taking further action until the matter is resolved.

Judge Liman emphasized, “All parties are hereby mandated to maintain the status quo before the purported emergency meeting of the alleged executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, and to stay action in respect of this matter pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application.”

The court has scheduled April 30 for the hearing of Ganduje’s appeal, indicating a significant legal battle ahead for the embattled APC national chairman.