A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Kano State Government for it to show cause why the ex-parte orders sought by the 44 local government areas (LGAs) of the state should not be granted.
Justice Donatus Okorowo gave the order on Wednesday shortly after counsel for the plaintiffs and lawyers to the defendants presented their arguments for and against the application.
On December 28, 2023, the court declined to grant the application seeking to bar Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State from disbursing or spending funds and allocations belonging to the 44 LGGs.
The judge, rather, ordered the defendants to appear before him on January 3 to show cause why the restraining orders should not be granted.
He equally granted the plaintiffs’ plea for an order of substituted service on the defendants.
The ex-parte motion was filed by the 44 LGAs and the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano State Chapter on December 27, 2023.
In the suit, Kano State Government, the Kano State attorney-general and commissioner for justice and the state’s accountant-general were sued as first to third defendants respectively.
The plaintiffs prayed the court for an order restraining the defendants/respondents from controling, managing, further administering, disbursing and spending the funds and allocations belonging to the 44 LGAs of Kano State in the Kano State Joint Local Account, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs’ substantive suit.
The case was adjourned until January 11.
