Kano govt files appeal after court dismissed case against Murtala Garo

The Kano State Government has filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Kano following the dismissal of the criminal case involving former commissioner, Murtala Sule Garo, and others.

The state government transmitted the records of appeal on March 12, 2026 (nine months after the state High Court struck out the case).

The filing of the documents came at the peak of lobbying and pressure mounted on Governor Yusuf to nominate Mr Garo as deputy governor.

Documents sighted by this newspaper show that the state, listed as the appellant, is challenging the decision of the Kano State High Court in Suit No. K/133C/2024, delivered by Hon. Justice Sunusi Ado Ma’aji on June 30, 2025.

The notice of appeal, filed at the Court of Appeal, Kano Judicial Division, indicates that the case was brought against Murtala Sule Garo, Muhammad Sule Garo, Mustapha Sule Garo, Isah Musa Kera and A.U. Future Investment. A separate copy of the High Court proceedings also lists MJ Multipurpose Services Ltd. among the defendants.

The appeal, marked as a criminal appeal from the High Court of Justice, Kano, to the Court of Appeal, shows that the Kano State Government is seeking a review of the lower court’s decision and has indicated that it is appealing against the whole judgment.

According to the ruling, the High Court had earlier considered two issues, including whether the complainant could prosecute the defendants in the absence of investigations and the effect of earlier judgments of the Federal High Court involving related matters.

Background of the case