Kwankwaso: BoT Chair, 18 Others Risk Jail over Alleged Court Disobedience

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The founder and Chairman of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP), Chief Boniface Aniebonam and 17 members of the NNPP, risk being committed to prison, following the filing of Form 48 against them.

Aniebonam and his faction had last year suspended, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election,Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from the party.

But a Kano State High Court had last year halted the suspension of kwankwaso, pending the hearing of a motion on notice challenging the suspension and the leadership of the faction led by Aniebonam.

The court presided by Justice Usman Mallam Na’Abba, in his ruling in suit number K/M1175/2023, restrained Aniebonam and the other 17 members from acting as national officers of the party, pending the hearing and determination of the main suit.

The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from giving any recognition to the purported suspension of kwankwaso.

But following an application by the NNPP, the court on February 14, 2024, ordered the service of Form 48, on the defendants through substituted means which would be pasted at the Lagos residence of Aniebonam.

A Certified True Copy of the court’s order cited byTHISDAY read: “Leave is hereby granted the applicant to serve the 2nd to 18th respondents with Form 48 by substituted service by serving/pasting on the gate of the office address of the 1st respondent at No 2 Maybin Street, Apapa GRA, Lagos State.

The notice of consequences of the disobedience of court order issued against Chief Boniface O. Aniebonam and 17 others, also read: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in this orders (attached) you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to correctional service forthwith.

Aniebonam, and others who might risk going to jail include Dr Gilbert Agbo Major, Tony Christopher Obioha, Comrade Oginni Olaposi, Hajia Rexia Zanlaga and Mark Usman.

There were also Umar Jubril, Alhaji Adebayo Wasiu, Alhaji Taxudeen Adebayo, Alhay] Mamoh Garuba, Abourasaq Abdulsalam and Abiola Henry Olarotimi.

Others were Babayo Aboullahi Mohammed, Alhaji Ibrahim Yahaya, Chinonso Adiofu, Hon. Prince Sunday Chukwuemeka, and Jonathan Chineme Ibeogu.

The matter has been adjourned till March 11, for hearing.