In a recent development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Kano State government. The government is expected to provide reasons why the ex-parte orders sought by the 44 local government areas (LGAs) of the state should not be granted.
The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Donatus Okorowo, came after the counsel for the plaintiffs and the lawyers representing the defendants presented their arguments for and against the application.
The background of this case lies in a previous ruling on December 28, 2023, when Justice Okorowo declined to grant the application seeking to bar Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State from disbursing or spending funds and allocations belonging to the 44 LGAs.
The judge ordered the defendants to appear before him on January 3 to show cause why the restraining orders should not be granted, as well as granting the plaintiffs’ plea for an order of substituted service on the defendants.
The ex-parte motion, filed by the 44 LGAs and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano State Chapter, is part of a suit against the Kano State government, the Kano State Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Justice, and the state’s Accountant-General.
The plaintiffs sought an order restraining the defendants from controlling, managing, further administering, disbursing, and spending the funds and allocations belonging to the 44 LGAs of Kano State in the Kano State Joint Local Account, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs’ substantive suit.
During the resumed hearing, the plaintiffs’ counsel informed the court that the matter was adjourned for the defendants to show cause why the interim orders should not be granted. The defendants were served in line with the court order, but they failed to file their processes to show cause within the prescribed three days.
The defendants’ lawyers, on the other hand, argued that they were not given adequate time to respond and requested an adjournment. They also raised concerns about the public holidays affecting the response time.
In his ruling, Justice Okorowo acknowledged the impact of public holidays on the response time and granted the defendants seven days to show cause why the ex-parte orders should not be granted. The matter was adjourned until January 11 for further hearing.
This case underscores the importance of fair and transparent governance, and it will be closely monitored as it unfolds. The outcome of this legal battle could have significant implications for the autonomy of local governments in Kano State.
