The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Federal High Court’s ruling that removed Kabir Ibrahim as the President of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
A three-member panel of the appellate court unanimously affirmed the March 24, 2022, judgment by Justice Taiwo Taiwo (now retired), which declared Ibrahim’s tenure expired and ordered him to stop parading himself as President.
The case centred around the leadership dispute within AFAN, the umbrella body for Nigerian farmers.
According to court records, Ibrahim and his executive team were inaugurated on June 14, 2014, for a five-year term.
Justice Taiwo noted in his original judgment that Ibrahim’s tenure legally ended on June 14, 2019.
Despite this, Ibrahim continued to act as President.
However, the association’s General Assembly held a new election in Kano on April 10, 2021, which resulted in Farouk Mudi being elected as the new National President, alongside new members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Council (NEC).
Justice Taiwo declared this 2021 election “lawful and valid” and ordered Ibrahim to hand over all association assets and documents in his custody.
In the latest ruling delivered by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, the court dismissed Ibrahim’s appeal.
He stated: “This appeal is devoid of merit, and it is hereby dismissed. The judgment of the lower court (Federal High Court), delivered on March 24, 2022, is hereby affirmed.”
Justice Danjuma also imposed a cost of ₦200,000 on the appellant, payable to the respondent, the Mudi-led AFAN leadership.
Other members of the appellate panel, Justice Ali Gumel and Justice Anthony Ogakwu, agreed with the lead judgment.
