Kano Guber: APC files cross-appeal against controversial court judgement

The ruling of the Court of Appeal, which disqualified Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf from running for office due to suspected certificate fraud, was challenged by the All Progressive Congress (APC) in a two-ground cross-appeal petition to the Supreme Court.

Two grounds were listed by the party in its cross-appeal in the appeal notice that Akin Olujinmi, the attorney for the APC, filed on Wednesday.
As stated on page 11 of the ruling, the Lower Court made a legal error.

It is not useful to the cross-appellant for the 2nd Cross Respondent to know whether or not its Form EC9 exhibit meets the requirements for a certificate under Section 182[1] [j] of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 [as amended] Olujinmi stated.

Olujinmi elaborated, citing specific examples of the judgment’s flaws, saying, “A decision on it goes to the issue on non-qualification of the 2nd cross-respondent to contest the election in dispute in this appeal, contrary to the holding of the lower court.”

But, in order to permit the cross-appeal, the APC requested a Supreme Court ruling.

As you may remember, the Court of Appeal upheld the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s ruling a few weeks prior.

Kano’s March 18 governor’s race was pronounced won by APC candidate Nasiru Gawuna, according to the court.

But in the certified authentic copy of the judgment that was made public four days later, the appellate court partially overturned its ruling.