A faction of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kebbi State has raised concerns over the ongoing trial of its State Chairman, Sufiyanu Bala, calling on local and international bodies to intervene.
The party’s Secretary, Abubakar Bawa Kalgo, made the appeal during a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, alleging irregularities in the legal proceedings against Bala.
Bala is currently facing trial at Chief Magistrate Court 1 and the High Court in Birnin Kebbi over allegations bordering on contempt of court and incitement of the public.
Kalgo said the party faction, aligned with Abubakar Chika Malami, had conducted its congresses in April, during which Bala emerged as state chairman.
He alleged that Bala was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force eight days after his emergence, based on a warrant issued by the magistrate court.
According to him, repeated attempts to arraign Bala between April 20 and April 24 were marred by procedural and substantive irregularities.
He further claimed that despite the existence of a parallel matter before the High Court, the magistrate court insisted on proceeding with the case.
Kalgo also noted that an interim investigation report by the police reportedly acknowledged the High Court matter and recommended that prosecution should continue there. However, the arraignment proceeded at the magistrate court.
He added that Bala’s counsel, A. A. Fingilla, had applied for the presiding magistrate to recuse himself over alleged bias, but the request was denied, prompting the lawyer to withdraw from the case.
The ADC secretary described the development as part of a broader pattern of alleged persecution against party members, naming individuals such as Umar Abubakar, Hussaina Ahmed Jega, Nasiru Garba Hashim, and Umar Yakubu Kamba as having faced similar issues.
He said the party would formally petition several bodies, including the National Judicial Council, NJC, Kebbi State Judicial Service Commission, International Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, and the United States Department of Justice.
Kalgo urged the Kebbi State Government and the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and ensure fairness, warning against what he described as the abuse of democratic institutions by partisan actors.