Court Stops Dismissal of Two District Heads In a significant ruling, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has ordered the reinstatement of two district heads who were dismissed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). The district heads, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril and Alhaji Suleiman Baba, were dismissed in 2017 on allegations of “gross misconduct and indiscipline.” However, they challenged their dismissal in court, arguing that it was unconstitutional and procedurally unfair. During the hearing, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the FCTA failed to follow due process in dismissing the district heads. He ruled that the administration did not give the plaintiffs a fair hearing before terminating their appointments. The court further held that the dismissals violated the plaintiffs’ fundamental right to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Justice Ekwo ordered the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, to immediately reinstate the two district heads to their positions with all their entitlements. He also awarded N10 million each to the plaintiffs as damages for the unlawful dismissal. The ruling has been welcomed by many observers who argue that it will help protect the rights of public servants and ensure that due process is followed in all matters relating to dismissals. Reacting to the ruling, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, expressed optimism that the judgment will serve as a precedent in protecting the rights of public officers. He commended the court for upholding the rule of law. Meanwhile, the FCTA has filed an appeal against the judgment. However, the court has ordered the administration to comply with the judgment pending the determination of the appeal.Sokoto High Court Restrains Governor from Dismissing Removed District ChiefsSokoto High Court Restrains Governor from Dismissing Removed District Chiefs Amidst the controversy surrounding the Traditional Institutions Law in Sokoto State, the state High Court has issued an order preventing Governor Ahmed Aliyu from dismissing two of the 15 district chiefs previously removed from office. The order was obtained by Alhaji Buhari Tambuwal and Alhaji Abubakar Kassim, former district heads of Tambuwal and Kebbe, who were among those dismissed for alleged insubordination and aiding insecurity. Presiding Judge Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed instructed the governor, his Attorney General, and the Sokoto Sultanate Council to maintain the status quo until the case brought before him is resolved. The order prohibits further actions related to the removal of these district chiefs pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction motion filed by their lawyer, Professor Ibrahim Abdullahi, SAN. This legal action comes as the state government proposes a bill to amend the Local Government Act, which would grant the government exclusive authority to appoint traditional rulers. The proposed bill and the dismissal of the 15 district heads have sparked nationwide reactions, with Vice President Kashim Shettima urging the Sokoto government to preserve the Sultanate as a cherished institution. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also stressed the need to protect traditional institutions from “excesses of state governors.” The Muslim Rights Concern has condemned the removal of the Sokoto Sultan or any curtailment of his powers. The Sokoto State House of Assembly has approved the amendment bill for second reading and referred it to a committee. A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for next week.A High Court sitting in Kaduna State has restrained the Kaduna State Government from dismissing two District Heads, Alhaji Abubakar Barau and Alhaji Haruna Kuye, from their positions. The court, presided over by Justice Muhammed Bello, granted an interim injunction stopping the dismissal of the district heads pending the determination of the motion on notice filed by their counsel, Nuhu Ibrahim, seeking to quash the purported dismissal. The court also granted an order of substituted service on the state government by pasting the court processes on the notice board of the state’s Ministry of Justice. Ibrahim had filed the motion on notice on behalf of the two district heads, challenging their dismissal from office by the Kaduna State Government. In the motion, the counsel argued that the dismissal of the district heads was unconstitutional, null, and void, as it was done in violation of their fundamental right to fair hearing. He also argued that the dismissal was politically motivated and that the district heads were not given any opportunity to defend themselves against the allegations leveled against them. The court adjourned the matter to July 12 for hearing of the motion on notice.