Court remands Malami-backed ADC chairman in Kebbi over alleged contempt

A Magistrate Court in Birnin Kebbi has ordered the detention of a factional chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Kebbi State, Sufyanu Bala, over alleged contempt of court, deepening the leadership crisis within the party.

Presiding Magistrate Abubakar Koko directed that Bala be remanded in custody pending the hearing of his bail application scheduled for April 21, 2026.

The suit, filed by a rival faction, is also seeking an order restraining Bala from parading himself as the ADC state chairman.

Counsel to the complainant, Garba Shehu, representing factional chairman Abdulrazaq Iko, told the court the application was aimed at enforcing compliance with an earlier court directive.

“Our application is rooted in the need to uphold the authority of the court. The defendant has continued to act in defiance of subsisting orders,” Shehu said.

However, defence counsel Ahmad Fingilla challenged the competence of the case, arguing that the Magistrate Court lacked jurisdiction as the matter was already before a High Court.

“This honourable court cannot assume jurisdiction over a matter already before the High Court.

The alleged contempt did not originate here, and as such, these proceedings are fundamentally flawed,” Fingilla submitted.

Despite the objection, the court ruled that the matter would proceed and adjourned the case for further hearing.

Reacting, Bala alleged that the rival faction was working with the state government to destabilise the party’s structure in Kebbi.

“Yes, the magistrate ordered my arrest and detention, but the case has been adjourned till tomorrow. The court lacks jurisdiction, and the state government is behind this.

They don’t want us on the ballot, but we will pursue the matter to a logical conclusion,” he said.

The crisis within the ADC in Kebbi has persisted for months, with parallel factions laying claim to the party’s leadership.

Bala is believed to have the backing of Abubakar Malami, a development that has further intensified the dispute.

The prolonged tussle has resulted in parallel congresses, conflicting court orders and deep divisions among members, raising concerns about the party’s cohesion ahead of future elections.