Court sacks Kano State Electoral Commission chairman few days to election

A Federal High Court in Kano has removed Prof. Sani Malumfashi from his role as Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) after it was revealed that he was a card-carrying member of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, came after a lawsuit was filed by Aminu Tiga and the All Progressives Congress (APC), naming the State Attorney General, Haruna Dederi, and 14 others as defendants.

Justice S.A. Amobede ruled that Malumfashi, along with other commission members, violated sections 197(1)(b) and 200(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibit electoral officials from participating in partisan politics.

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The court also found that Kabir Zakirai, the Secretary of the commission, was not a civil servant, rendering him ineligible for the position.

The court’s judgment declared all activities by KANSIEC, including preparations for the 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State, null and void.

It also disqualified the 8th to 14th defendants from their roles and barred them from overseeing the upcoming elections. Law enforcement agencies were instructed to ensure compliance with the ruling.