Ex-Executive Council Members’ Legal Challenge Denied Pending Full Hearing
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Kano Division, has refused applications from five former members of the Kano State Executive Council seeking to prevent the state government from reclaiming official vehicles provided during their tenure.
Justice Mahmood Abba Namtari delivered the ruling on Monday, declining the ex parte interim injunctions requested by the former commissioners and instructing that the state government and other defendants be formally notified.
Court Adjourns Matter for Further Proceedings
The court set March 10, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings, emphasizing that all parties must be heard before any substantive decision is made.
The former commissioners involved are:
- Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim K/Mata, former Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation
- AVM Ibrahim Umar (retd), former Commissioner for Internal Security
- Nasir Sule Garo, former Commissioner for Special Duties
- Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, former Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
- Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Commissioner for Youth
Legal Arguments and Context
The ex-commissioners had filed separate suits against the Attorney General of Kano State, the Governor, and the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission. Their counsel, Suraj Sa’ed, SAN, argued that official vehicles were part of their conditions of service and should be retained in line with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s determinations.
Affidavits filed in support of the motions indicated that the former commissioners resigned in January 2026 and subsequently received directives to return the vehicles, with the anti-corruption agency warning of potential enforcement measures for non-compliance.
Justice Namtari’s refusal of the ex parte applications means the state government is free to retrieve the vehicles pending the full hearing of the claims. The dispute forms part of an ongoing contest over the entitlement of ex-officials to government assets post-tenure.
