The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the suspension of Muhuyi Magaji, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, ruling that the suspension order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal violated his right to a fair hearing.
A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Umaru Fadawu, delivered the judgment on Friday, declaring that the CCT’s suspension of Magaji was prejudicial and flawed.
Justice Fadawu stated that the suspension violated the fundamental principles of fair hearing and ordered that the case be reassigned to a different panel of the tribunal, according to Politics Nigeria.
Magaji had been suspended on April 4, 2023, following allegations of misconduct raised by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The CCT, under the leadership of Justice Danladi Umar, had instructed Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and the Secretary to the State Government to appoint an acting chairman until the matter was resolved.
Magaji’s legal counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, argued that the suspension was unjust, claiming that the tribunal had erroneously presumed his client’s guilt and denied him his constitutional right to a fair trial.
The appellate court criticized the CCT’s approach, describing its findings as speculative and lacking sufficient evidence. Additionally, the court ruled that the tribunal had exceeded its jurisdiction by involving external parties, such as the Kano State Governor and SSG, in its directives.
In reaction to the court’s verdict, Magaji expressed relief, calling the judgment “a victory for the rule of law and justice.” He also reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Kano with integrity.