By Babban Jumai
The Executive Director, Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA), Kabiru Saidu Dakata has dragged Kano State Government and seven others to court to challenge the procedural process by governor Umar Ganduje to obtain a N300 billion loan.
The before the federal high court Kano seeks interpretation over the alleged wrong procedural processes by Kano State Government’s intention to obtain external loan of 300 Billion Naira to build Light Rail in the State.
The other defendants in the suit include, Senate President, Kano State House of Assembly, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Ministry of Finance Debt Management Office, China Exim Bank and China Embassy.
In his submission, counsel to the Plaintiff, Barrister Bashir Yusuf Tudun Wuzirchi, alleged that the request for the approval was brought to the House of Assembly as message from Governor and argued that no any deliberations was made as required by law.
Barrister Tudun Wuzirchi also alleged that Kano State House of Assembly within few seconds approved the loan without setting the matter for public hearing.
The counsel also argued that the Kano State Governor didn’t follow guidelines of external and domestic borrowing for Federal, state and all Government agencies.
The lawyer to the applicants informed the court the significance of staying all actions by both counsel in respect of the subject matter of the suit to protect the sanctity and dignity of the court.
When the case came up yesterday, the court granted leave for Chief M.N Duru who took over defence from Barrister Hussain Hussain a counsel from the Kano State Ministry for Justice.
Announcing his appearance on behalf of Kano State Government and State House of Assembly, M.N Duru argued that the court lacks Jurisdiction to entertain the case.
He also explained that the plaintiff lacked locus standi to challenge the decision of Kano State Government and State House of Assembly who According to him were elected to represent the interest of Kano citizens.
Meanwhile, Comrade Ibrahim Ali, from Incorporated Trustee and Northern Patriotic filed an application praying to be join as defendant in the suit.
