By Our reporter
The prolonged leadership crisis rocking the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) took a deeper twist last Friday as a Magistrate Court in Zone 6, Abuja, ordered the remand of former President of the Association, Arc Kabir Ibrahim, at the Keffi Correctional Centre.
The court ruling came amid years of internal wrangling following the 2021 election that produced Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi as AFAN President, a process Ibrahim has refused to recognize, insisting on holding onto the seat.
In a firm ruling, Justice Ekpeyong Inyang, reminded Ibrahim that both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal had dismissed his claims to the presidency. The judge stressed that by continuing to parade himself as AFAN President, Ibrahim had committed impersonation under Section 132 of the Penal Code.
The Magistrate accused Ibrahim of working with accomplices to mislead the public, intimidate stakeholders, and disrupt the association’s lawful activities.
“By doing so, you have conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace, public disorder, and disunity within the Association and the wider public.” She said
Unable to meet bail conditions, Ibrahim was ordered to remain in custody until his next trial date. His remand has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s farming community, which has endured years of instability within the body representing its interests.
For Dr. Farouk Mudi, the recognized AFAN President said the ruling was long overdue. He accused Ibrahim of deliberately frustrating agricultural growth by writing to government agencies and private investors, including the Nigeria Sugar Development Council and Tingo Mobile, in a bid to block support for millions of farmers.
He revealed that security operatives have already arrested one of Ibrahim’s allies, Chief Okafor, who had also been parading himself as AFAN Vice President. A nationwide manhunt is now underway for other accomplices linked to the faction.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing, heightening expectations that the ruling may finally bring an end to a leadership tussle that has lingered for years and created divisions among farmers nationwide.
The development comes just months after a landmark judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, delivered on July 17, 2025, which dismissed an appeal filed by Ibrahim’s faction and reaffirmed Dr. Mudi as the only legitimate President of AFAN.
In its reaction to the appellate ruling, AFAN’s National Media Executive, Comrade Ibrahim Garba, hailed the judiciary for upholding justice, describing the verdict as a “long-awaited victory for Nigerian farmers and the rule of law.” He added that the judgment imposed a ₦200,000 fine against Ibrahim, further underscoring the baselessness of his claims.
“This is a moment of relief and vindication for the authentic leadership of AFAN, ably led by Alhaji Dr. Farouk Rabi’u Mudi. The Appeal Court, under the presiding Justice Gumel, has finally put to rest years of distraction and illegitimacy,” the statement read.
AFAN leadership has since appealed to farmers, government institutions, and development partners to take note of the judicial pronouncements and henceforth relate only with the recognized leadership.
“We thank our members nationwide for their patience, resilience, and unwavering loyalty during this turbulent legal journey. We now call for unity across the agricultural sector as we move forward with renewed commitment to supporting the policies of the Federal Government and ensuring food security for our dear nation,” Garba said.
Garba said that the remand order and the appellate court ruling are widely seen as decisive steps toward ending the bitter leadership tussle that has stalled AFAN’s operations for years, paving the way for a more united and focused farmers’ movement under Dr. Farouk Mudi’s leadership.
