A Federal High Court in Kano has stayed the alleged suspension of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, by his ward.
The order follows an ex parte motion brought by Dr Ganduje to enforce his fundamental right to a fair hearing.
According to the certified true copy of the order, the respondents in the application are the Police, Department of State Services DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC and nine other individuals.
APC executives in Ganduje ward of Dawakin Tofa local government area of Kano State had on April 16, purportedly suspended Ganduje over alleged corruption.
The decision was, however, quashed by both the State Working Committee of the APC in Kano and the National Working Committee NWC.
A judge of the Kano State High Court, Usman Na’abba had however affirmed the suspension.
However, in the ex parte order delivered on Wednesday by the Federal High Court and made available to journalists on Thursday, A.M Liman, a judge of the Federal High Court in Kano said the purported suspension should not be implemented until the case is heard and determined.
“That all the Respondents, their servants, agents or privies are hereby restrained from Implementing and/or giving effect to the purported decision reached during the purported emergency meeting of the alleged Executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, held at Ganduje Ward of Dawakin Tofa Local.
“That all the parties are hereby mandated to maintain status quo before the purported emergency meeting of the alleged executive members of APC Ganduje Ward, and to stay action in respect of this matter pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application,” Liman said.
The judge subsequently fixed April 30 to hear Ganduje’s appeal.