We Stand By Our Verdict-Appeal Court Sacking Of Kano State Governor

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, said on Monday that it stands by its judgment on the sack of Kano state governor and candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in the March 18 governorship election, Abba Yusuf.

The declaration is coming on the heels of the appeal filed by the NNPP against the verdict at the Supreme Court and subsequent appeal to the National Judicial Council, NJC, to probe the judgment over allegations that it was compromised. 

It would be recalled that the NNPP addressed newsmen in Abuja, on Monday, during which it alleged that the Appeal Court judgment sacking the governor was in error, noting further that it was doctored.

“We are an interested party. We own the platform on which Engr. Yusuf ran for the election and was declared winner. We are calling on the NJC, to without delay commence investigation to unravel what happened in the matter.

“Also, we are calling on eminent members of the bench (both retired and serving) and the bar, to be interested in what happened that we have the kind of scenario presented in the CTC of the judgement of the Appeal Court," the party said. 

In its reaction however, the appellate court explained that the allegation by the party is far from being true. According to the court, the alleged compromise referred to by the party is a clerical error which the Court has a right to correct, insisting that its judgement remains valid. 

The court's Chief Registrar, Mr. Umar Bangari, who spoke on behalf of the court, added that the “clerical error,” did not in any way invalidate or change the unanimous conclusion of the three-member panel of justices that decided the appeal.

According to him, the error would be rectified as quickly as parties in the matter filed a formal application to that effect, citing Order 23, Rule 4 of the Court of Appeal HandBook, which he said, empowers the court to correct any clerical error, once detected by the court or any of the parties in the matter.

He surmised that against insinuations made in the social media to the effort that the judgement would be reverted, the judgment of the court remains valid and stays.

“What happened in the part of the judgment is just a mere clerical error that ought not to draw any issue.

“The court is empowered to correct such clerical error and that will be done as appropriate,” Bangari added.

Meanwhile, major streets in the state capital erupted in protest Monday as supporters of the NNPP trouped to the street in protest of the alleged doctored verdict. The protesters were however, dispersed by the police.