ADC Crisis Deepens in Kebbi as Court Orders Detention of Malami-Backed ADC State Chairman
By Yusuf Gwandu
The crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has taken a new turn, as a faction of the party has dragged the Malami-backed state chairman, Sufyanu Bala, to court over alleged contempt.
The faction is asking the court to restrain Bala from parading himself as the ADC State Chairman.
The contempt suit was filed at Magistrate Court Number 1 sitting in Birnin Kebbi, where the court ordered the detention of Sufyanu Bala until Tuesday, pending the hearing of his bail application.
The order was issued by the presiding Magistrate, Abubakar Koko, during a court session held on Monday, April 20, 2026.During proceedings, counsel to the complainant, Barrister Garba Abubakar Shehu, who represented factional chairman Abdulrazaq Abubakar Iko, told the court that the defence counsel opposed the reading of the charges, arguing that the Magistrate Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.
However, counsel to the defendant and legal representative of the ADC in Kebbi State, Barrister Ahmad Abubakar Fingilla, insisted that Magistrate Court Number 1 lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the case. He argued that the alleged contempt matter was not initiated at the Magistrate Court and that the case is already before the Kebbi State High Court.
He maintained that, in view of this, the matter should not be entertained by the Magistrate Court.After listening to both parties, Magistrate Abubakar Koko adjourned the case to Tuesday, April 21, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
