A federal high court sitting in Kano has ordered the resignation of two judges appointed as chairmen of the commission of inquiry constituted to investigate Abdullahi Ganduje, the former governor of Kano State.
In the judgment delivered on Thursday, the presiding judge, Simon Amobeda, ruled that Farouk Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf, who are serving judges of the high court of the state, should not have accepted the appointments by the current governor, Abba Yusuf.
Judge Amobeda ordered the judges to resign from the commission within 48 hours. He further directed the National Judicial Council (NJC), the first defendant in the case, to cease payment of any remuneration, allowances, and benefits from the consolidated revenue fund of the federation to the judges if they fail to comply with the 48-hour deadline.
The judge criticized the governor for establishing the commission without appealing an earlier court judgment by Judge A. Liman, which declared that only the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have the authority to investigate Ganduje.
Citing relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Judge Amobeda held that the Kano state government lacks the power to appoint the two judges to serve as chairmen of the inquiry constituted by the governor.
This ruling brings to light significant legal and constitutional issues regarding the jurisdiction and powers of state governments and the judiciary in matters of public inquiry and accountability.
The outcome is expected to have notable implications for the ongoing investigations and the administration of justice within the state.
