A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Tuesday sacked the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Prof. Sani Malumfashi, and the Secretary of the commission, Kabir Zakirai, for being card-carrying members of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
The case was filed by Aminu Tiga and the All Progressive Congress (APC) against the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, and 14 others.
In his judgment, Justice S.A Amobede held that Prof. Malumfashi was a card-carrying member of the NNPP, contrary to section 197 (1) (b) and section 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The judge also held that Kabir Zakirai was not a civil servant and therefore not qualified to be appointed as the Secretary of the commission under section 14 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001.
The court declared that all actions taken by the 8th to 14th defendants in preparation for the 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State, such as the issuance of election guidelines, circulars, screening of candidates, and sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, are null and void.
Justice Amobede disqualified and removed the defendants from their positions as chairman and members of KANSIEC and restrained them from conducting the 2024 Local Government Election in respect of 44 Local Governments in Kano State until qualified persons are duly appointed.
The court also directed the Police and other security agencies to 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).
The plaintiff, Aminu Tiga, had argued that Prof. Malumfashi, Kabir Zakirai, and other members of the commission were not qualified to hold their positions due to their involvement in partisan politics as members of the NNPP.