A Federal High Court in Kano has issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the Nigeria Police, Kano Public Complain and Anti-Corruption Commission from harassing, arresting, inviting, or detaining the former governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, his family members, or any appointee who served under his administration.
Also restrained by the court presided over by Justice A.M Liman are six other defendants.
The order will remain in effect until the hearing and ruling on the substantive motion that prompted its issuance.
The court’s decision was the result of an ex parte application filed by the applicant’s attorney, Mr. B. Hemba, whose identity was disclosed to be the former governor of Kano State.
The order was also extended to all eight defendants in the case, preventing them from taking any further action against the former governor or his associates.
In the order, Justice Liman stated, “Restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves or acting through their officers, men, operatives, agents, or any persons or group of persons howsoever described, from harassing, intimidating, detaining the Applicant or his children, or any member of his family, or any appointee who served under the administration of the Applicant, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion.”
The judge further gave “An order restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves or acting through their officers, men, operatives, agents, privies, or any persons or group of persons howsoever described, from harassing, arresting, inviting, or detaining the Applicant or his children, or any member of his family, or any appointee who served under his administration, or forcefully taking over properties of his children or any member of his family, or any appointee who served under his administration, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion.”
Additionally, Justice Liman stated that the temporary injunction will be in effect until the hearing on the motion to enforce fundamental human rights, which is slated for July 14, 2023.
The Nigeria Police, Inspector-General of Police, Kano State Police Commissioner, State Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Attorney General of the Federation, Attorney General of Kano State, and Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission are the eight respondents listed in the lawsuit.
Contacted for comments, Mr. B. Hemba, the counsel to the applicant, stated, “We are pleased with the court’s decision to grant the interim order as it ensures the protection of our client’s rights and prevents any unwarranted actions against him and his family. We look forward to presenting our case and seeking justice during the upcoming hearing.”
In contrast, the defendants have not yet made a formal statement in response to the court’s interim ruling.
