Ganduje plots to influence redeployment of judges, NNPP alleges
Kano rulling party, the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, has alleged that that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking to influence the redeployment of the Appeal Court panels handling various election matters.
investigations revealed that the National Chairman of the ruling APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is leading the charge to influence the composition of the Appeal Court panels.
A reliable source who is familiar with the matter reported that Ganduje has held a meeting with unnamed “influential individuals” where the plan was said to have been hatched.
“It is true that a meeting was organised by the national chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, where plans to influence the selection of judges for appeal court panels were discussed”, the source said.
However, of particular interest to the APC National Chairman source revealed, is the panel for the Kano State Appeal and to this end the APC stakeholders from Kano have already reached out to a top government functionary at the federal level with a list of their preferred judges to be posted to Kano.
It was further gathered that certain elements within the security agencies are advising the APC to tamper with the tribunal records of proceedings, if not some of the judgements will not stand the test of time on appeal.
This development is coming on the heels of alleged pressure mounted on the leadership of the judiciary on Kano Governorship Election Petition, which the source said was a huge influence on the outcome of the recent pronouncement of the tribunal on the Kano gubernatorial election.
“Based on the fresh moves by the APC chairman to influence the composition of the Appeal Court on Kano and other appeals, it stands to reason that the recent tribunal judgement may have been delivered under duress, more so, now that records have shown that the judges in question were in Kano on the night of September 19th, just one day before the judgement was delivered on September 20th”, the source claimed.
While calling for a thorough investigation of the latest development, the source observed that democracy can only thrive under a robust and impartial judicial system that can withstand scrutiny and ensure that justice is served without compromise.
“Our judiciary is under attack from the top echelon of the political class, and they need help to remain independent.”
“Based on the fresh moves by the APC chairman to influence the composition of the Appeal Court on Kano and other appeals, it stands to reason that the recent tribunal judgement may have been delivered under duress, more so, now that records have shown that the judges in question were in Kano on the night of September 19th, just one day before the judgement was delivered on September 20th”, the source claimed.
While calling for a thorough investigation of the latest development, the source observed that democracy can only thrive under a robust and impartial judicial system that can withstand scrutiny and ensure that justice is served without compromise.
“Our judiciary is under attack from the top echelon of the political class, and they need help to remain independent.”
