By
Fidelis Jockthan
A Chief Magistrate Court II in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital has imposed a fine of three million naira on the African Democratic Party (ADC) Gubernatorial candidate, Ambassador Omar Suleiman Omorana, for pasting campaign posters on public structures, including the popular flyover within the Yola metropolis.
Presiding Magistrate Alaji Musa Adamu also barred the gubernatorial candidate and his supporters from pasting any campaign posters within the state capital.
Omorana was brought before the court through a direct criminal complaint filed by State Senior Counsel Salihu Mohammed.
The complainants in the suit include the Ministry of Environment, the Urban Planning and Regional Development Board, and the Office of the Attorney General of Adamawa State, challenging the defendant’s actions over allegations linked to improper placement of campaign posters and failure to comply with environmental regulations.
The complainants told the court that the legal action was initiated under Section 111 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2018.
Upon announcing his appearance, the lead counsel to the defendant, Barrister Bala Sanga, informed the court that the alleged offence committed by his client was not a criminal case but an administrative matter, and therefore the court was at its discretion to prescribe appropriate sanctions.
In his ruling, the Magistrate stated that the evidence before the court proved that the defendant had pasted his posters at strategic locations, including flyovers, and that his actions amounted to a violation of the executive order.
The court ordered the defendant to pay the sum of three million naira to the state government as damages for the violation.
The Magistrate also warned the defendant and his supporters to desist forthwith from indiscriminate pasting of posters on public structures.
It could be recalled that Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri had issued an executive order banning the pasting of campaign posters and billboards on public infrastructure, particularly on flyovers.
According to the complainants, the defendant violated the order by displaying campaign posters on the bridge, thereby breaching Section 30(1) of the Environmental Protection Agency Law, Cap 51, Laws of Adamawa State, 1997.
Counsel to the Complainants: Salihu Muhammad (Senior State Counsel II) appreciated the ruling on the matter.
Counsel to the Defendant: Bala Sanga, Esq., clarified that the fine will not affect his client’s election prospects, explaining that the case was not a criminal trial but an administrative issue.
The legal luminary emphasized that no criminal trial was held, and no guilt was established against the defendant.
Sanga further raised concerns about the government’s use of administrative fines to intimidate political opponents, suggesting that the public should form its own judgment on the matter as it involves issues of public interest.
Director General, Omorana Campaign Organisation, Professor Jeffrey T. Baminas, stated that the campaign respected the court’s decision and would comply fully with it, including the court’s warning to supporters.
Professor Baminas noted that the campaign had already directed its supporters, ahead of the court sitting, to stop pasting posters at strategic locations that would put them at variance with the state’s environmental laws.
He added that the campaign would now move to pull down posters from the affected locations in compliance with the ruling and the court’s warning to avoid further defacement of government infrastructure.
