Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto

A Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has disqualified itself from hearing the case on the qualification of Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field candidates for the state’s governorship election.

This followed the submission by counsel to the respondents that some of his clients had accused the justices of receiving $3 million to compromise the case.

A Zamfara High Court had recognised the primary elections held by the APC in the state and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC) to accept the party’s candidates for the elections.

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Unsatisfied with the court’s decision, the appellant, Aminu Jaji, a governorship aspirant and serving member representing Kauran Namoda/ Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency approached the appeal court to set aside the judgement.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Ahmad Belgore, ruled that based on circulated media allegations and issues raised by counsel to Senator Kabiru Marafa, Barrister Muhammad Nuhu, the court would not continue with the case.

The lead judge urged  all parties to the case to await the constitution of a new panel that would consider the matter.

“In recognition of the magnitude of allegations and present situation in judiciary, as well as the nation, the judges surrendered that the President of the Court of Appeal should constitute new panel to entertain the matter,” he said.