A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an interim order prohibiting the Nigeria Police, Kano Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission from harassing, arresting, inviting, or detaining Abdullahi Ganduje, his family members, or any appointee who served under his administration.
Six other suspects have also been restricted by the court presided over by Justice A.M Liman.
According to a copy of the restraining order dated July 7, 2023, the order will remain in effect until the hearing and decision on the substantive originating motion.
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.”
Justice Liman also announced that the interim order would remain in operation until the hearing of the motion for the enforcement of Fundamental Human Rights scheduled for July 14, 2023.
The eight respondents named in the suit are the Nigeria Police, Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police Kano State, 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.
The court’s decision came as a result of an ex parte application filed by Mr. B. Hemba, counsel to the applicant, whose identity was revealed as the immediate past Governor of Kano State.
The court also extended the order to all eight defendants in the case, prohibiting them from taking any further action against the former governor or his associates.