…affirms Dakingari as governor

BY ABDALLAH EL-KUREBE

Sokoto – The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto State, yesterday, reversed  the judgment of the Kebbi State governorship election tribunal, which earlier nullified the election of Alhaji Usman Dakingari as governor.

The Justice Laraba Mohammed-led tribunal had on November 13,  2011 nullified Dakingari’s election and ordered a fresh election within 90 days.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Dakingari approached the Appeal Court, challenging the decision of the tribunal.

Delivering judgment, Presiding judge, Justice Amiru Sanusi, ruled in favour of Dakingari and set aside the judgment of the lower tribunal.

Of the five issues raised as grounds of appeal, Justice Sanusi ruled three in favour and two against Dakingari.

The cross-appeal of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC and its gubernatorial candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Mallam, praying the appellate court to declare him as the duly elected governor of the state was dismissed for lack of merit.

Speaking separately, counsel of the CPC, Mr. Ogene Nero and Kebbi State CPC chairman, Alhaji Suleiman Nasiha, rejected the judgment, saying that they would appeal against it at the Supreme Court.

Lead counsel of the appellant, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, accepted the verdict of the court.