Chigozie AMADI
Justice Usman Na’abba, of the Kano State High Court, has adjourned the case of suspension involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, to May 27, for hearing and determination of applications on jurisdiction, among other motion on notice.
A faction of the APC at Ganduje ward, Dawakin-Tofa local government area of Kano, had sought extension of order suspending Ganduje.
Before granting stay of execution of his order, Justice Na’abba had earlier granted the plaintiffs exparte motion that stopped Ganduje from parading himself as APC member.
In the aborted exparte, Ganduje had sought appeal restraining the execution of Justice Na’abba’s order granted against him, insisting that those parading themselves as ward officers are impostor.
When the matter came up for hearing of the originating summon, yesterday, counsel to the applicants (Haladu Gwanjo and Laminu Sani Barguma), Ibrahim A Sa’ad, told the court of an application seeking to extend the exparte order pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit.
In his reaction, counsel to 1st (APC), 2nd (NWC) and 3rd (SEWC) respondents, Chief M. M Duru, told the court of an application on preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the state high court to entertain the matter.
Duru notified the court on the potency of his application against all other pending motions, reminded the constitutional provision that allowed the court to determine the position of jurisdiction first before other matters.
On his part, counsel to 4th respondent (Abdullahi Umar Ganduje) L. O Oyewo told the court that his client was not ready to proceed with the matter because his client has not been served with court processes.
Ganduje’s counsel, however, sought proper service of the proceedings and ample time to reply.
Although, Justice Na’abba asked for the position of the motion of appeal already filed, challenging the order of the court, counsel to Ganduje explained that the appeal would not necessarily impede the proceedings of the originating summon since no transmission of address was made yet.
The presiding judge, however, adjourned to May 27, for hearing and determination of applications on jurisdiction and other motion on notice.
