Kebbi ADC Chairman Remanded Over Alleged Misconduct

A Magistrate Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has ordered the remand of Sufyanu Bala, a factional chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State, over allegations of contempt of court, amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the party.

According to Ireporter Online, the presiding Magistrate, Abubakar Koko, directed that Bala remain in custody pending the hearing of his bail application, which has been scheduled for April 21, 2026.

The case was instituted by a rival faction within the ADC, which is seeking a court order restraining Bala from parading himself as the party’s chairman in the state. Counsel to the plaintiffs, Garba Shehu, who represents a faction led by Abdulrazaq Iko, told the court that the action was aimed at enforcing compliance with an earlier court ruling.

However, the defence counsel, Ahmad Fingilla, challenged the jurisdiction of the magistrate court, arguing that the matter was already before the High Court and therefore should not be entertained at the lower court level. He further maintained that the alleged contempt did not originate from the magistrate court.

Despite the objection raised by the defence, the court ruled that the case should proceed and adjourned further hearing to a later date.

Reacting after the court session, Bala described the case as politically motivated, alleging interference by certain political actors in the state working in collaboration with internal party rivals to weaken his faction. He also insisted that the magistrate court lacked jurisdiction over the matter and vowed to continue pursuing his defence.

The ADC leadership crisis in Kebbi State has persisted for months, with rival factions holding separate meetings and laying claim to the party’s structure. Bala is reportedly aligned with a bloc linked to Abubakar Malami, a development that has further deepened divisions within the party.