The hearing of a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and seven others has suffered a delay following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s failure to submit necessary court documents to the Kano High Court.
Along with Kwankwaso, the other plaintiffs in the suit include the NNPP, as well as individuals: Dr. Ajuji Ahmed, Mr. Dipo Olayanku, Mr. Ahmed Balewa, Chief Clement Anele, Lady Folashade Aliu, and Engr. Buba Galadima.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Mr. Robert Hon, representing the applicants, notified the court of their readiness to commence the hearing.
He said, “My Lord, the respondent, by the rules of this court, has five days to file their response, but it is more than 30 days now.
“They are out of time. We served the respondent on the 10th of June with all the applications in their legal department.
“My Lord, this is a fundamental rights suit with a special procedure.”
He requested that the court disregard the respondent’s application for an adjournment, citing a lack of valid reasons for their failure to file a response.
Instead, he asked the court to schedule a definite hearing date for the case.
The respondent’s counsel, Mr. Idris Ibrahim Haruna, sought an adjournment to enable them to file their responses for a fair hearing.
He said: “Service was affected in Abuja, we are very sorry for the inconvenience and applied for another day to enable us to file our responses.”
The presiding judge, Justice Yusuf Ubale Muhammad, however, adjourned the case to October 24, 2024, for a definite hearing.
Persecondnews recalls that the court had earlier issued a restraining order, barring the EFCC from interfering with, intimidating, arresting, or harassing the applicants, until the court reaches a decision on the motion on notice.
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