AFAN Crisis: Court remands self-acclaimed president Arc Kabir Ibrahim

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

A Magistrate Court in Zone 6, Abuja has ordered the remand of Arc Kabir Ibrahim, self-acclaimed President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), over allegations of impersonation, criminal intimidation, and inciting public disturbance.

The court ruled that Ibrahim’s continued parading as AFAN President, despite a court judgment affirming Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi as the legitimate leader, constitutes impersonation.

AFAN President Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi alleges that Arc Kabir Ibrahim sabotaged the organization by threatening the Nigeria Sugar Development Council and warning investors away from AFAN.

The police have launched a manhunt for Ibrahim’s accomplices, with one already apprehended, as the case proceeds to further hearing.

Delivering the judgement, Her Lordship Hon Justice Ekpeyong, in her ruling on the matter brought forward, said,

” That you, Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, male, adult, was once lawfully elected as National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN.

However, upon the expiration of your tenure as provided under the Constitution of the Association, you willfully refused to vacate office. Consequently, the Association duly elected Mr Farouk Mudi as its National President in 2021, and has since been recognized as valid”.

“That you, Arc Kabir Ibrahim, contested your removal before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/322/2020, which was decided against you on the 22nd of March, 2022. You further appealed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, where judgment was again entered against you. Despite these clear and binding decisions, you have continued to parade yourself as the National President of the Association. By so doing, you have committed the offence of impersonation, contrary to Section 132 of the Penal Code Act.

” That you, Arc Kabir Ibrahim, in concert with some of your unlawful accomplices, are presently at large and still being searched for, have continued to mislead the public and disrupt the lawful activities of AFAN by conducting unauthorized functions in the name of the Association, thereby committing the offence of Criminal Intimidation, contrary to Section 397 of the Penal Code.

” That you, Arc Kabir Ibrahim, by your persistent unlawful acts of impersonation and Intimidation, have conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, public disorder, and disunity within the Association and the wider public, thereby committing the offences of inciting disturbance, contrary to Section 114 of the Penal Code Act.”

When the charges were read before him and unable to provide sureties to secure his bail, the presiding judge ordered that he be remanded at the Keffi correctional centre pending the determination of the suit filed against him.

Reacting to the judgement, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi National President of AFAN mentioned other instances where Arc Kabir Ibrahim deliberately sabotaged AFAN in his quest to the over 15 million farmers and over 80 commodities association under his watch, citing particular instances where out-grown farmers set to benefit from loans to augment the deficit in sugar supply in the country currently at 2%.

Also, Arc Kabir Ibrahim wrote to Tingo Mobile, warning them from investing in Nigerian Farmers under the leadership of Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi led AFAN, which ultimately blocked foreign direct investment in the agric value chain, amongst many others, he sabotaged.

At the time of writing this report, one of Arc Kabir Ibrahim’s accomplices, Chief Okafor, who claimed to be the Vice President of AFAN, has been apprehended by the FCT Abuja police. Following a court order, law enforcement is actively pursuing Ibrahim’s other associates nationwide.