Court Fines ADC Governorship Candidate N3million Over Alleged Campaign Posters On Public Infrastructure
Court Fines ADC Governorship Candidate N3million Over Alleged Campaign Posters On Public Infrastructure
The government alleged that campaign posters belonging to Suleiman were pasted on public structures, including flyovers, contrary to existing environmental regulations.
AChief Magistrate Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, has ordered the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Omar Suleiman, to pay a N3million administrative penalty over the unlawful placement of campaign posters on public infrastructure.
The ruling, delivered by Chief Magistrate Musa Alhaji Adamu, followed a suit filed by the Adamawa State Ministry of Environment, the Adamawa State Urban Planning Board and the Office of the Attorney-General, which accused the ADC candidate of violating an executive order regulating political advertisements on public facilities.
The government alleged that campaign posters belonging to Suleiman were pasted on public structures, including flyovers, contrary to existing environmental regulations.
In its judgment on Thursday, the court directed Suleiman to pay a N3million administrative fine to the Adamawa State Government and warned him, his campaign organisation and supporters against further indiscriminate placement of campaign materials on public infrastructure.
Saharareporters had on July 7, reported how the Adamawa State government filed criminal charges against the ADC chieftain over allegations that he pasted campaign posters on the Unity Flyover in Yola.
The move has ignited political debate across the state, with critics condemning it as an attempt to intimidate a prominent opposition figure ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the ADC governorship candidate, Bala Sanga, insisted that the proceedings were administrative and did not amount to a criminal prosecution or conviction.
He maintained that no criminal charge was read to his client, no plea was taken and no formal arraignment took place before the court.
“This was an administrative issue, not a criminal prosecution. There was no criminal conviction against Ambassador Omar Suleiman, and nothing in the judgment affects his eligibility or prospects in the 2027 governorship election,” Sanga said.
He added that the defence would have challenged the allegations if the matter had proceeded as a criminal trial.
His campaign organisation also accepted the court’s decision, saying it would comply fully with the judgment.
A campaign spokesperson, Prof. Jeffrey Barminas, said supporters had already been directed before the judgment to stop placing campaign posters on prohibited public structures in compliance with the state environmental regulations.
He disclosed that the organisation had commenced plans to remove campaign posters from affected locations.
“We are law-abiding citizens and we respect the decision of the court. We have already sensitised our supporters against violating environmental regulations, and following today’s judgment, we will ensure that all affected campaign materials are removed,” Barminas said.
While declining to accuse the Adamawa State government of selective enforcement despite claims that campaign posters belonging to other political actors also appear on public infrastructure, Barminas said the campaign would refrain from making comments capable of heating the polity.
He urged supporters of the ADC governorship candidate to remain peaceful and law-abiding throughout the electioneering period.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of the campaign organisation, Elder Mark Wosi, the campaign described the ruling as a demonstration of respect for the rule of law and pledged continued compliance with the Constitution and all applicable laws while pursuing its political campaign ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
