Impeachment: Nyako’s Hope Dashed As Court Dismisses His Suit Over ‘Abuse Of Process’

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Thursday, May 21st, 2015

By Mustapha Abdul Salaam – Former Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako has lost in his bid to upturn his impeachment, as a Federal High Court in Yola, the State capital Thursday dismissed the suit filed by him, to contest his removal from office.

The leading judge, Justice Bilikus Bello-Aliyu held that the case before her was an “abuse of court process” as three different suits on the same matter, were pending before a competent courts of law.

Consequently, Justice Aliyu upheld the objection of counsel to the first defendant, Mr. Leonard Zadon, contending that similar suit was before three high courts.

However, she upheld the appellant prayers that his right was grossly infringed by the respondent, as she cited section 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

It would be recalled former Governor Nyako was impeached Tuesday, July 16, 2014, by the PDP dominated members of the State House of Assembly, over alleged financial gross misconducts against him, while his Deputy (now Governor) James Bala Ngilari resigned shortly before his former boss was sacked.

The Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly then, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, was subsequently sworn-in as the Governor. He was later sacked by the court over constitutional breaches that surrounded his rising to the office. This later translated into victory for Ngilari, as court sacked Finitiri and reinstated him (Ngilari) as the substantive North Eastern State Governor.