The Court of Appeal has overturned a decision of the Federal High Court relating to the conduct of local government elections in Kano State, on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.
In its judgment, the Court of Appeal held that disputes arising from local government elections fall outside the constitutional and statutory jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. The appellate court accordingly set aside the ruling of the lower court, which had entertained the suit and issued orders affecting the outcome of the local government elections conducted in Kano State.
The appeal arose from proceedings connected to the conduct of local government elections organised by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission. In the proceedings before the Federal High Court, issues touching on the legality of aspects of the elections were raised. However, the Court of Appeal confined its determination to the question of jurisdiction and did not pronounce on the substantive merits of the electoral process.
In reaching its decision, the Court of Appeal emphasised the constitutional allocation of powers over local government elections, noting that such elections are governed by state electoral frameworks and are subject to adjudication by courts vested with the appropriate jurisdiction under the Constitution and applicable laws.
The appellate ruling has the effect of nullifying the orders made by the Federal High Court in relation to the Kano local government elections, on the basis that they were issued without jurisdiction.
