Court halts Ganduje’s suspension, orders return to status quo

A Federal High Court in Kano has halted the suspension of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje by his ward.

The order came on Wednesday after the APC chieftain filed an ex parte motion seeking to enforce his fundamental right to a fair hearing.

The Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and nine other individuals are the respondents in the application.

Supreme News recalls that on April 16, APC executives in Dawakin ward, Tofa Local Government Area (LGA) in Kano State, suspended Ganduje over alleged corruption.

In a countermove, the State Working Committee of the APC in Kano State nullified the suspension and punished the ward executives.

However, Usman Na’Abba, a Kano High Court judge, upheld Ganduje’s suspension.

In the ex parte order delivered on Wednesday by the Federal High Court and made available to newsmen on Thursday, Justice Mohammed Liman halted the implementation of the suspension until the case is heard and determined.

“All the respondents, their servants, agents, or privies are hereby restrained from implementing and/or giving effect to the purported decision reached during the purported emergency meeting of the alleged executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, held at Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa Local.

“That all the parties are hereby mandated to maintain status quo before the purported emergency meeting of the alleged executive members of APC Ganduje Ward.

“They are to stay action in respect of this matter pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application,” Liman said.

The judge subsequently fixed April 30 to hear Ganduje’s appeal.