Court sacks Kano Electoral Commission Chairman, members four days to LG poll

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, on Tuesday, sacked the Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Prof. Sani Malumfashi, for being a card-carrying member of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
The case was filed by Aminu Tiga and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defendants in the suit are the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, and 14 others.
Delivering judgement, Justice S.A Amobede also held that Kabir Zakirai, the Secretary of the commission was not a civil servant and therefore not an officer in the Kano State Civil Service.
The judge held that Zakirai was not qualified to be appointed to the position pursuant to section 14 of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2001.
“Whatever the eighth defendant is doing in preparation of the 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State such as issuance of election guidelines, circulars, screening of candidates, sale of nomination and expression interest forms whichever and howsoever are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
“That, the 8th to 14th defendants are forthwith disqualified and removed from their positions as chairman and members of the 1st Defendant.
“That they are forthwith restrained from conducting the 2024 Local Government Election in respect of 44 Local Governments in Kano State until and unless qualified persons are duly appointed”.
He then directed the Police and other security agencies to forthwith 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).
Tiga had argued that Prof. Malumfashi, the chairman of KANSEIC and others were card-carrying members of the NNPP and in partisan politics contrary to the section 197 (1) (b) and section 200 (1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).