Politics
Court bars Kano Assembly from inviting, investigating Ganduje
A Kano High Court has barred the state house of assembly from inviting or investigating Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of the state, over any alleged criminal case.
Ahmed Badamasi, the presiding judge, gave the ruling on Thursday.
He said the power to investigate criminal charges is vested in the police, Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The judge said the assembly, by constitution, only has the power to make law and review existing law but not the power to investigate criminal matters
The suit was filed by Muhammad Zubairu, national coordinator of Lawyers for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria, a pro-democracy group.
Joined as defendants in the suit were Baffa Dangundi, chairman of the investigative panel of the house, and the attorney general of the state.
Read also: Court unseats Anambra APC chairman
Nuraini Jimoh, counsel to the plaintiff, applauded the ruling while Muhammad Waziri, the defendant’s lawyer, said he would consult his clients on their next line of action.
Recall that following emergence of videos published by Daily Nigerian, an online publication, of Ganduje allegedly seen receiving kickbacks from contractors, the state assembly had set up a seven-man committee to investigate the matter.
The governor had however denied the allegation, saying the video was doctored.
On November 5, the court had ordered the house to suspend the probe while ruling on an ex parte application by Zubair. But the assembly vowed to proceed.
The chairman of the committee investigating the issue had said the court order did not stop the panel from continuing with the investigation.
However, on November 13, the assembly eventually complied.
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