Yola court fines ADC governorship candidate N3m over poster violations

 

 

A Chief Magistrate Court in Yola has imposed a N3 million administrative fine on the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Adamawa State, Suleiman Omarana over alleged violation of an executive order.

Chief Magistrate Musa Adamu delivered the judgment Thursday in Yola, in a suit filed by the Ministry of Environment and the Office of the Attorney General.

Salihu Mohammad, counsel to the state government, said that Omarana was accused of defacing public property through indiscriminate placement of campaign posters on government buildings, public infrastructure and other state-owned facilities.

He said that the action violated an executive order prohibiting political parties, candidates and supporters from pasting campaign materials on public structures across the state.

The counsel said the directive formed part of its environmental protection policy aimed at preserving public infrastructure and promoting environmental sanitation.

Reacting, counsel to Omarana, Bala Sanga, said the court did not convict his client of any criminal offence.

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Sanga described the proceedings as administrative, stressing that no criminal charge was read, no plea was taken and no formal arraignment was conducted.

“He has not been found guilty of any offence; it is an administrative fine. No charge was read, no plea was taken and no arraignment was made,” he said.

He said the defence would have challenged the allegations vigorously if the matter had been prosecuted as a criminal case.

Also speaking, Director-General of the Omarana Campaign Organisation, Mark Wosi, said the organisation welcomed the court’s ruling.

Wosi described the decision as an affirmation of the judiciary’s role as an independent institution committed to justice, fairness and the rule of law.

He said the organisation had consistently maintained that legal disputes should be resolved through lawful and constitutional means.

According to him, the campaign appreciates the court for discharging its constitutional responsibility with dignity and impartiality.

Wosi commended the legal team for its representation and thanked the media, civil society organisations, security agencies and supporters for maintaining peace during the proceedings.

He urged supporters of Omarana to remain calm, humble and respectful following the judgment.

“This is not a moment for provocation or triumphalism but an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to peace, democratic values and the rule of law,” he said.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to pursuing its political aspirations peacefully, responsibly and in compliance with the Constitution and laws of Nigeria.