Zaar Development Association leadership tussle: court sacks caretaker committee

From David Kuvie Bauchi

The leadership tussle that recently trailed activities of the National Executives of the Zaar Development Association (ZDA) has been put to rest following a court verdict which voided the dissolution of the executives and appointment of caretaker committee by the former trustees of the association.

This was made known by the ZDA in a press release signed by its Secretary General, Mr Numshi Mailafiya, made available to journalists on Sunday

According to the release, the ruling on the matter, which settled the tussle, was delivered by Justice B.O Quadri of the Federal High Court, Bauchi on on June 3, 2022.

It stated that the decision of the national Executives of ZDA to approach the court for redress followed many mishappenings and misappropriations of powers that beclouded the activities of the association from January 2022.

The release recalled that the tussle resulted to the dissolution of a duly elected national Executives by the Former trustees, with the former trustees creating a faction by inaugurating a Caretaker Committee.

According to the release, the national Executives, headed by its President, Engineer Isuwa Galla, rather than take laws into their hands and create unnecessary squabbles, decided to seek legal interpretations of the Rights and privileges of an Elected NEC and the Board of Trustees in line with Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of the Corporate Affairs Commission

The press statement, which had a copy of the court ruling attached to it, explained that the defendants (former board of trustees) had no right to invite the national President to a meeting, adding that the former BOT was duly removed and replaced in line with Section 832 of CAMA 2020.

The court also declared that the former BOT have no Power to remove, suspend or interfere with the affairs of the NEC.

According to the court ruling, the action of the former trustees amounted to fundamental breach and a violation of the provisions of Section 839 of CAMA 2020.

It added that the purported action of the already removed BOT members is therefore Null and Void, and of no Legal Effect.

“The court said that the continued parade of the former BOT as members of the Board of Trustees of the ZDA is unlawful and illegal,” it stated

“lt placed an order restraining the defendants, their Servants, agents and privies from parading themselves as members of the Board of Trustees of ZDA”

lt said further that, the national Executives of the ZDA described the verdict as a victory only for the NEC but a victory for Zaar Land.

“Soonest, we shall set up modalities through apt communication and recommendations from our Branches and Stakeholders”, the press release assured.