Fufore Emirate: Fintiri Opposes Referral of Suit to Appeal Court

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has vehemently opposed the application seeking to refer Fufore Emirate suit to the Court of Appeal as a case stated for determination. News Platform 

An application dated 25th February, 2025 is praying for an order of Yola High Court in Adamawa State, to refer the case to the court of appeal as case stated for the determination of the question raised in the preliminary objection.

It was filed before Justice Musa Usman led High Court by the plaintiffs/ applicants including Alh. Musa Halilu (Dujima Adamawa), Alh. Mustapha Dahiru Mustapha (Yerima Adamawa) and Alh. Mustapha Ahmadu (Sarkin Noma Adamawa) through their M. M. Nurudeen (SAN).

In a suit marked: HC/ADSY/14/2025, the plaintiffs/applicants dragged Adamawa State Government, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Attorney General of the state and Alh. Mohammed Sani Ribadu, Emir of Fufore, challenging the creation of emirate.

In its counter affidavit opposing the application to refer the case to appellate court, the 3rd defendant said that the constitution has given powers to the high court to as well as a duty to hear the case and determine it.

The 3rd defendant represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, A. K. Jingi, said that the case was not a proper case to refer to the court of appeal, insisting that the matter should not be referred to the court of appeal.

The 3rd defendant had served the plaintiffs/applicants with its counter affidavit on the 11th March, 2025 and the plaintiffs/applicants through their counsel, M. M. Nurudeen, said that they needed time to reply on points of law.

The court granted the application of Counsel to the plaintiffs/applicants and adjourned the matter to the 3rd April, 2025 to enable the plaintiffs/applicants reply.

The plaintiffs/applicants have joined Adamawa State Government, Fintiri, AG and Alh. Sani Ribadu and others as 1st, 2nd, 3rd to 4rd defendants/respondents in the case seeking for an order of the court nullifying Fufore Emirate.

Alh. Musa Halilu and 2 others instituted the action on the 30th January, 2025 praying for a declaratory reliefs and the nullification of the Adamawa State Legal Notice No. 56 of 2024 creating Fufore Emirate.

According to them, Adamawa State Emirate Council as the concerned traditional institution was not consulted before the creation of Fufore Emirate which constitutes Ribadu, Malabu and Gurin districts.

They aveered that the 3 districts which are components of the newly created Fufore Emirate, are essential and formed parts of the Adamawa Emerate, as their heads have been part of the kingmakers of Adamawa Emirate and Adamawa Emirate nucleus for than 200 years.