Court Strikes Out ICPC’s Suit Against KANSIEC Officials
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has struck out the case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against three senior officials of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Nigerian Tribune reports.
Those affected are KANSIEC Chairman, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi; Commission Secretary, Anas Muhammed Mustapha; and Deputy Director of Accounts, Ado Garba.
According to the Nigerian Tribune,the matter, marked FHC/ABJ/210/2025, was slated for the defendants’ arraignment on Monday, but the proceedings could not go ahead as none of the defendants appeared in court.
The trio had been charged with a 10-count allegation bordering on the laundering of N1.02 billion during the 2024 local government elections.
At the last hearing, prosecuting counsel Enosa Omoghibo, an Assistant Director in the ICPC Legal Department, told the court: “The matter is slated for arraignment, but the defendants were not in court.”
However, defence counsel M.A. Magaji, SAN, argued that the failure to serve his clients properly made their presence in court impossible. He maintained that proper service of charges and other court processes is fundamental to the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned the matter to Monday, November 24, to allow proper service and ensure all parties were present for full proceedings.
When the matter was recalled on Monday and the defendants again failed to appear, the presiding judge struck out the suit.
