By AMINU DALHATU; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
A Federal High Court sitting in Gusau has adjourned the pre-election suit filed by All Progressives Congress (APC) Zamfara North senatorial aspirant, Dr. Abdullahi Shinkafi, challenging the party’s primary election that produced Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as its senatorial candidate.
The case, before Justice Hassan Dikko, is between Dr. Shinkafi as plaintiff and the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as defendants.
At the resumed hearing, the court considered four pending applications filed by the plaintiff.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, said the matter came up for mention and hearing of pending applications filed by both the plaintiff and dependents.
Galadi explained that the court granted three applications seeking extension of time to file replies to counter-affidavits and preliminary objections filed by INEC and Senator Kaura including responses to a preliminary objection raised by the third defendant.
He explained that the fourth application, which seeks leave to appeal and a stay of execution, was contentious and was consequently adjourned for hearing.
“The court granted our applications for extension of time to file our replies. However, the application for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal and for stay of execution is contentious, so it has been adjourned for hearing,” he said
Galadi further disclosed that the court fixed 28 July 2026 for the adoption of final written addresses.
The plaintiff’s counsel also disclosed that the court had declined an application by the defendant seeking to award costs against his client over the alleged late filing of court processes.
He said the defendants applied for ₦2 million as costs against his client, alleging that the plaintiff failed to file a reply within the stipulated time.
According to him, the court rejected the application after confirming that the plaintiff’s reply was filed on time in line with the court’s rules.
During the proceedings, Counsel to the third defendant, Senator Sahabi Ya’u, J.C. Shaka, asked the court to award a cost of ₦2 million against the plaintiff for filing and serving a counter-affidavit on the day the matter came up for hearing.
He maintained that the ₦2 million cost would serve as a deterrent against similar conduct and promote adherence to proper court procedures.
Dr. Shinkafi’s suit challenges the validity of the APC primary election for Zamfara North Senatorial District, alleging that the exercise was fraught with irregularities and failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines in producing Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as the APC candidate.
The matter has been adjourned to 28 July 2026 for the adoption of final written addresses.
