By Our Court Reporter

The Federal High Court No. 1, Gombe, presided over by Hon. Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed, has reserved judgment in the suit filed by Alhaji Hamma saleh Abdulkadir, challenging the emergence of Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Gombe State governorship election.

The matter, which was first heard on 9 July 2026, came up for continuation on Thursday, 23 July 2026.

At the previous sitting, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister S. O. Onaghba, applied for an extension of time to enable him regularise his processes before the court. The application was granted, and the case was adjourned to 23 July 2026 for hearing.

At Thursday’s proceedings, all parties moved their respective preliminary objections and adopted their final written addresses.

Appearing for the parties were Barrister Toli Babalele and his legal team for the plaintiff, Mr. A. A. Ajibade, SAN, for the PDP, A. G. Kahinde, SAN, for Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, and Barrister S. O. Onaghba for INEC.

Among those present in court were the plaintiff, Alhaji Hammasale Abdulkadir, the PDP State Secretary, Alhaji Adamu Haruna Abubakar, and the party’s State Organising Secretary, Hassan Mohammed Santana.

After listening to submissions from all counsel, Hon. Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed reserved the matter for judgment. A date for the judgment is expected to be communicated to the parties.

The case is being closely watched by political stakeholders across Gombe State, as the outcome is expected to have significant implications for the PDP’s preparations ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

By Our Correspondent

The Chief Magistrate Court No. 2 sitting in Gombe has ordered that two defendants, Muhammad Sunusi Abdullahi, also known as “Ataka,” and Ahmed Daudu Dinawa, also known as “Jadda,” be remanded in police custody over their alleged involvement in the unlawful invasion of the VIP section of the Gombe State International Airport.

The order was made on Monday by the presiding Chief Magistrate, Aliyu Abubakar, after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The defendants are facing charges bordering on criminal trespass, disobedience to a lawful order duly promulgated by a public servant, obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their lawful duties, intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, inciting public disturbance, and mischief.

Presenting the case, the police prosecutor, Barrister Umehi Thomas, told the court that the alleged offences occurred on 15 July 2026 at about 12:00 p.m. during the arrival of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship Candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Bala Bello Tinka, at the Gombe State International Airport.

According to the prosecution, the defendants, alongside other suspects who are currently at large, allegedly forcefully invaded the airport, destroyed the security lock at the Executive Gate leading to the VIP section, and unlawfully gained access to the restricted area.

The prosecutor further informed the court that airport security personnel and management officials made several attempts to stop the defendants, but the efforts proved unsuccessful as the suspects allegedly became violent and verbally abused the security officials.

Barrister Thomas added that the value of the damaged property is yet to be determined as investigations are still ongoing.

He told the court that the alleged offences are punishable under Sections 79, 342, 148, 143, 399, 114, and 326 of the Penal Code, and urged the court to remand the defendants, arguing that investigations have not been concluded.

Counsel to the defendants, Barrister Ayuba Rabiu, opposed the application for remand. He argued that the court had the discretion to grant bail, relying on Section 177 of the Gombe State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2020.

The defence counsel further submitted that the defendants had already spent five days in police custody since 16 July 2026, and urged the court to exercise its powers by admitting them to bail pending the conclusion of investigations.

After listening to both parties, Chief Magistrate Aliyu Abubakar ordered that the defendants remain in police custody.

The court subsequently adjourned the substantive case to 5 August 2026 for hearing, while the ruling on the defendants’ bail application has been fixed for Thursday, 23 July 2026.

By Our Political Reporter

The Federal High Court No. 2 sitting in Gombe has reserved judgment in a suit challenging the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The suit was instituted by an APC aspirant, Mr. John Alfred, who is challenging the victory of Hon. Ali Isa J.C. as the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives seat.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Ahmed Musa, told the court that no valid APC primary election was conducted in the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency on May 18, 2026, as required by law. He alleged that no election took place in any of the 20 wards across Balanga and Billiri Local Government Areas, yet the APC declared Hon. Ali Isa J.C. as the winner of the primary election.

The plaintiff urged the court to nullify the declaration of Hon. Ali Isa J.C. as the APC candidate and order the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh primary election, arguing that the process was marred by substantial irregularities.

In his defence, counsel to the first defendant, Hon. Ali Isa J.C., J.J. Adamu, SAN, filed a motion on notice alongside a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the suit. He maintained that the APC primary election was validly conducted across the Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency.

The senior lawyer further informed the court that Hon. Ali Isa J.C. resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on April 14, 2026, relinquished his position as the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, and subsequently obtained valid membership of the APC before participating in the party’s primary election.

He relied on Order 4 Rule 6 of the Federal High Court Practice Directions, arguing that the plaintiff’s suit lacked merit and should be struck out.

Also, counsel to the APC, Barrister Muzzammil Yahaya, raised a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the suit and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter. He urged the court to dismiss the case for being incompetent.

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Barrister Bashi M. Abubakar, told the court that the commission monitored the APC primary elections across Gombe State and confirmed that it has the official list of candidates who emerged from the exercise.

After listening to the submissions of all parties, the presiding judge, Justice Verah Eneibor Ibrahim, reserved judgment and said a date for the delivery of the judgment would be communicated to all parties through their respective counsel.