Court adjourns Marafa’s case against Zamfara APC, over congresses, to March 14
*Faction claims thugs disrupted its press briefing
By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau and KEMI KASUMU
The case filed by Senator Kabiru Marafa, against All Progressives Congress (APC), came up on Thursday for mention, at the Zamfara State High Court sitting in Gusau.
Marafa’s prayers before the court was to have state congresses conducted by the Governor Mohammed Bello Matawalle-led APC annulled as, according to him, he believes they are illegal being, according to him, that they excluded members of his faction from participating in the congresses after they had purchased forms.
The presiding judge, Justice Bello Kucheri after listening to both parties, adjourned the case to 14 March, 2022 for further mention and to enable the defendants to adopt counter-affidavits and written addresses, and for the plaintiff to present preliminary objections.
The lead counsel to the plaintiff, John Shaka said the National Working Committee of the APC, state, local government and ward levels in Zamfara are illegal and unlawful.
He claimed that the APC leadership is acting as if the party does not have a constitution, which is the guiding principle of the party affairs, which is why his client is in court to challenge them to adhere to the constitution of the party.
Counsel to the APC, Shiaka Dikko while briefing the journalists after the court sitting, said the court granted certain applications and subsequently adjourned the matter for further mention.
He also said his client had asked for an extension of time to come with an application to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.
In addition, he said that the plaintiff does not have the locus standing to institute a suit against the APC as he is not a member of the National Working Committee and did not participate in the state congresses.
The Marafa’s group, in an after court sitting press conference, however complained that its members attacked by people believed to be political thugs, adding that, although, nobody was injured.
