Kwankwaso’s Court Battle With EFCC Stalled

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

The failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to submit court documents at the Kano High Court, has stalled the hearing of Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), alongside seven others.

The suit seeks to enforce their fundamental rights.

The other applicants in the case include the NNPP, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, Dipo Olayanku, Ahmed Balewa, Chief Clement Anele, Lady Folashade Aliu, and Engr. Buba Galadima.

During the Tuesday court session, the applicants’ counsel, Robert Hon, expressed readiness to proceed with the hearing.

He noted that the EFCC had not responded within the five-day period stipulated by the court’s rules, despite being served on June 10.

“This is a fundamental rights suit with a special procedure,” Hon emphasized, urging the court to disregard the EFCC’s request for an adjournment due to their failure to file a response.

The EFCC’s counsel, Idris Ibrahim Haruna, requested an adjournment to allow them to prepare their responses, citing service in Abuja as the reason for the delay and apologizing for the inconvenience.

Justice Yusuf Ubale Muhammad, presiding over the case, postponed the hearing to October 24, 2024, for a definite session.

It is noteworthy that the court had previously issued an order preventing the EFCC from infringing on, intimidating, arresting, or harassing the applicants pending the resolution of the motion on notice.