Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Adamawa State, Ambassador Umar Suleiman popularly known as Omarana has been fined N3 million over alleged indiscriminate pasting of campaign posters on public infrastructure.

Delivering judgment in the case between the state ministry of environment, Attorney General and Ambassador Umar Suleiman at chief magistrate court ll Yola on Thursday, the court held that the ADC guber-candidate has violated an executive order issued by the state government prohibiting pasting of campaign posters on public property.

Chief Magistrate Musa Adamu slammed the N3M million administrative fine on the ADC governorship candidate for indiscriminate placement of campaign posters against an executive order.

The executive order forms part of the Adamawa State Government’s environmental protection policy aimed at preventing the defacement of public infrastructure.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the judgment at the court’s premises, legal counsel to Ambassador Umar, Bar. Bala Sanga, clarified that the court did not convict his client of any criminal offence noting that the proceedings were purely administrative.

“If it were a criminal trial, we would have entered a full-blown defence and ventilated all the issues appropriately,” he told newsmen.

Reacting to the court’s ruling, the African Democratic Congress,ADC.Adamawa state chapter welcomed the judgment reaffirming its faith in the rule of law and the judiciary.

In a press statement issued by the Director General of the Omarana campaign Organization, Elder Mark Wosi said the court’s decision represents an important affirmation of the role of the judiciary as an independent institution committed to justice, fairness, and the rule of law. (Daily Trust)