A Chief Magistrate Court in Yola, Adamawa State, has ordered the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Omar Suleiman, to pay a N3 million administrative fine for the unlawful placement of campaign posters on public infrastructure.
The decision was delivered by Chief Magistrate Musa Alhaji Adamu after a case brought by the Adamawa State Ministry of Environment, the Adamawa State Urban Planning Board and the Office of the Attorney-General.
The state government accused Suleiman of violating an executive order regulating political advertisements by displaying campaign posters on public structures, including flyovers, in breach of environmental regulations.
In its judgment, the court directed the ADC governorship candidate to pay the N3 million administrative penalty to the Adamawa State Government. It also warned him, members of his campaign team and supporters against further indiscriminate placement of campaign materials on public facilities.
The case follows legal action initiated by the state government over campaign posters displayed on the Unity Flyover in Yola, a development that has generated political reactions ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Responding to the ruling, Suleiman’s lawyer, Bala Sanga, argued that the matter was purely administrative and did not amount to a criminal prosecution or conviction.
He stated that no criminal charges were read to his client, no plea was entered and no formal arraignment took place during the proceedings. According to him, the court’s decision has no effect on Suleiman’s eligibility to contest the 2027 governorship election.
Sanga added that the defence was prepared to challenge the allegations if the matter had proceeded as a criminal case.
The ADC candidate’s campaign organisation also accepted the court’s ruling and pledged to comply fully with the judgment.
Campaign spokesperson, Prof. Jeffrey Barminas, disclosed that supporters had already been instructed to stop placing campaign posters on prohibited public structures in line with state environmental regulations.
He said the campaign had begun removing posters from affected locations, stressing that the organisation remains committed to obeying the law.
Barminas also declined to accuse the Adamawa State Government of selective enforcement despite concerns that campaign materials belonging to other political figures were also displayed on public infrastructure. He urged supporters to remain peaceful and conduct themselves responsibly throughout the election period.
In a separate statement issued by the campaign’s Director-General, Elder Mark Wosi, the organisation described the ruling as a reflection of respect for the rule of law and reaffirmed its commitment to complying with the Constitution and all relevant laws while continuing its campaign activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
