The Zaura Project Communication Team said that its attention has been drawn to online publications on the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Kano on the 13th of April, 2022, which set aside the judgment of the Federal High court, Kano on June 9, 2020 (3 years ago).
According to a press release signed by the Zaura Project Communication Team, it says, “Ordinarily, we are not under obligation to make a public response to the decision of the appellate court, but due calls by our teeming supporters, friends, and associates who are acquainted with the facts of the case, we are hereby obliged to set the records straight to avoid politicization of the issue, propaganda and stereotype, which may lower the estimation of the leading APC Governorship aspirant in Kano, Alhaji AA Zaura, in the eyes of the public.
Background of the case
In late 2018, in the build-up to the 2019 general elections, baseless allegations were leveled against the then GPN Gubernatorial Candidate – AA Zaura. In consequence of this, he was arraigned before Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Kano on 9 count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and obtaining money by pretense to the tune of 1.32 Million Dollars.
Consequent to the above-mentioned allegations, Alhaji Zaura consistently presented and defended himself before the court – taking on the pains of the entire litigation process even when the said nominal complainant had never appeared in the court once throughout the trial period.
On the foregoing basis, His Lordship Justice Lewis Allagoa in his wisdom discharged and acquitted AA Zaura on a judgment delivered on the 9th of June, 2020. The judge ruled that “the prosecution EFCC failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, adding failure of the commission to present the nominal complainant one Sheikh Jamal Al’azmi, a Kuwaiti national to appear before the court for evidence over what transpired between him and Zaura rendered all testimonies by the prosecution witness null and void.”
Facts of the case
It is pertinent to note that today’s judgment of the court of appeal did not mean an indictment or conviction – the argument of the judgement was premised on the fact that Zaura was not in the court at the material time the High Court judgment was delivered. The court of appeal ruled that the matter should be tried again in a Federal High Court.
The reason for his absence on the judgment day was the imposition of an interstate travel ban by the Nigerian Government due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Already, the legal team of Alhaji AA Zaura has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court of Nigeria for a Motion of stay of Execution.
Technically, the status quo will be maintained pending the hearing and judgment by the Supreme Court.
A call to supporters and the general public
“We wish to assure the good people of Kano State and our great party, APC and our teaming supporters that we remain steadfast and confident in the face these machinations to distract our campaigns.
“No amount of politicking and scheming will derail our focus and drag us backward as we advance towards crossing the huddles. As Muslims, we believe nothing good comes easy for ALLAHU SUBHANU WATA’ALA said in the Qur’an “verily with every hardship comes ease” Quran 94:6.
“Alhaji AA Zaura, therefore, appreciates the concerns, encouragement, prayers of the people from far and near, the statement concluded.
