The new Adamawa State Governor, Mr. Bala Ngilari has dissolved the State Executive Council and political appointees with immediate effect even as the sacked state acting governor, Umar Fintiri headed to appeal court against the judgment that sent him packing.
A statement by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Chubado Tijjani, said that all affected office holders should hand over all documents and other government property in their possession to permanent secretaries in their various ministries.
The statement, however, said heads of statutory commissions were not affected by the dissolution. The affected appointees, who were brought into the services of the state by Umar Fitiri were said to have spent barely three months in office.
In a notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Duro Adeyele (SAN), Fintiri faulted Wednesday’s judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja, which removed him from office.
He argued that the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, erred in law when he held that the former deputy governor (now Governor), James Bala Ngilari did not resign in accordance with constitutional provision.
He wants the Court of Appeal in Abuja to set aside the judgment by Justice Ademola, dismiss the suit by Ngilari on the ground that it was defective.
Listed as respondents in the appeal are – Ngilari, Speaker of the Admawa State House of Assembly, House of Assembly, impeached governor Murtala Nyako and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Meanwhile, Fintiri has returned to the State House of Assembly as the Speaker. He was the Speaker of the Assembly that masterminded the impeachment of former governor Murtala Nyako in July. [myad]
