The Appeal court sitting in Sokoto has dismissed the appeal challenging the judgment of the lower court which upheld the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state.
A three-member panel of judges unanimously dismissed the appeal following its withdrawal by the appellant, Aminu Jaji.
Daily Trust had earlier reported on Monday that the three judges of the Appeal Court in Sokoto withdrew from the case over bribery allegation to the tune of $3million (dollars).
One of the respondents, Kabiru Marafa, alleged that there was bribery allegation against the judges which made them lose confidence in them.
Counsel to Senator Marafa, Barrister Muhammad Nuhu, alleged that there was a posting on social media platform, alleging that the judges had received three million Dollars from one Kabiru Kamba to compromise.
“Because of that my client is not comfortable with them and urge the president of the Court of Appeal to constitute a new panel to entertain the case,” he said.
Responding to the allegation, the presiding Judge, Justice Ahmed Belgori said they have decided to disqualify themselves from the case over the grievous allegation in view of the present situation in the judiciary and the country.
Recalled that a High Court in Gusau presided over by Justice Muhammad Bello Shinkafi on Jauary 25 affirmed that the APC in Zamfara state had conducted primaries elections on 3rd and 7th October 2018.
The court also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the primaries for the APC’s governorship, senatorial, house of representatives and state Assembly seats.
The National Secretariat of the All Progressive Congress was also barred from replacing the names of those who won the primary elections of the party on 7th October 2018.
In case with a suit number ZMS/GS/52/2018, Sanusi Liman Dan Alhaji and 37 others vs APC and 143, the plaintiffs had asked the court to compel the All Progressive Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission accept the results of the party’s primaries election in the state conducted on the 7th of October 2018 among others.
On the same day, the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday barred the APC, from fielding candidates in Zamfara in the forthcoming general elections.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, affirmed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), foreclosing the party from participating in the election.
Justice Ojukwu held that the position adopted by INEC with regards to Zamfara APC was in tandem with the law and would help to instill discipline.
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