A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned all the suits challenging the eligibility of presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,till April 22 and 23, 2015.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola Wednesday morning adjourned the eligibility suit seeking to stop Mr. Buhari till April 22 and 23 for hearing, meaning there is no more obstacle on the APC candidate’s path.
The hearing will come up about a month after the election.
The court however dismissed the applications filed by two persons seeking to be joined as defendants in the suit. One of the applicants is a pro-democracy activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
There had been apprehension across the country that the opposition candidate might be disqualified, with his party, the APC suggesting there were pressures on the court to bar Mr. Buhari.
Mr. Buhari had on Tuesday failed in his bid to stop the Court from examining the merit of the consolidated suit challenging his eligibility for the March 28 presidential election.
When the suit came up for hearing Tuesday, Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and counsel to one of the plaintiffs, Chukwunweike Okafor, asked the court to reject the applications by Mr. Adegboruwa and another person to be joined, saying the court does not need them as parties in the suit to determine the merit of the case.
On Wednesday, the court agreed with Mr. Ozekhome’s argument, ruling that the applicants had no business in the case.
One of the suits against Mr. Buhari was instituted by Mr. Okafor challenging Mr. Buhari’s eligibility to contest the presidential election.
He claimed that the APC presidential candidate perjured by allegedly claiming to have attached his academic qualifications to the INEC form he filled even though he did not do so.
The APC and INEC were joined as defendants in the suit.
The party and its candidate protested with separate preliminary objections to the hearing of the suit, arguing that they were not served the court processes as required by the principle of natural justice and the rule of the court.
Although, the court granted Mr. Okafor the order to serve the process through substituted means, the APC flag-bearer, through his counsel, Wole Olanipekun, brought an application to set the order aside, contending that as far as he was concerned, no suit exists before the court for determination.
The APC and INEC also argued that even if they assumed that the court papers were properly served on them, the matter before the court was that of perjury, which according to them, was a criminal offence.
They contended that a criminal case could not be commenced by way of originating summons.
In his ruling Tuesday, Mr. Ademola said the court would hear both the objections and the substantive suit together.
Good one,shame on PDP.Buhari our president in waiting
ReplyDeleteCan buhari tell us they don't know this man in there place or there family where he comes from ?? Those boko haram cannot operate in those states without elders , where can they be sleeping , they should ask the youth and elders in North please those knows about boko haram , If they like let them use all they have blackmail GBJ it will not stop him to complete till 2019 , stupid APC change and Buhari ,,,NIGER DELTA is ready now.
ReplyDeleteIf you think that GMB is the sponsor of boko haram then by all means the PDP would have cashed on the evidence and even gone ahead to arrest and prosecute him. They have nothing on him. So stop saying things that you cannot backup. Go out and vote ur candidate and stop attacking GMB
DeleteDon't mind the dumbo from the Niger Delta. They're all block heads like their Clueless Jonathan and hhis okrika shepopotamos wife.
DeleteNiger delta is ready eh!!! You forget you the niger delta is just a drop of water in the ocean of Nigeria, very very easy to wipe out... Try and disturb this nation and see whether you will exist again idots #bringbackourgirls
DeleteThis is a very clever and matured decision. This Judge has just saved Nigeria some embarrassment.
ReplyDeleteGreat news. Sai Buhari
ReplyDeleteThis is wisdom at work. The sponsors of darkness and destruction would have succeeded in plunging an already over heated polity into chaos and bloodshed. The PDP should not be afraid of an election which is the only way of knowing how popular they are with the people. We don't want another Gbagbo saga in Nigeria
ReplyDeleteMathais, This is not a matter of being afraid of election, Goodluck Jonathan and indeed PDP would defeat Buhari over and over again, This is a matter of constitution and law, the plaintiff is not PDP but a nigerian who want to law to be applied to anybody, no matter how "highly" placed. The rule of law must be followed and that of course is Jonathan's mantra. Anybody who want to be a Nigerian leader MUST comply with the law. Anybody lying on oath is not fit to occupy public office and Buhari has made Nigerians to believe so, what stops him from coming out to present certified true copy of his certificate to the public, if he has and if he does not have, then he is not qualified to contest.
DeleteThe Judge's decision is just wisdom, afterall, Buhari will not win and it is not yet over. I still see him being tld so during judgement of this case.
Just for peace to reign
ReplyDeleteThis is victory for Buhari and APC.
ReplyDeleteAll the effort of Jonathan and PDP to destroy Buhari's campaign is giving greater support to Buhari and APC.
Good one, they know that disqualify GMB will not fly not now that is obvious is our next president. Sai Buhari
ReplyDeleteJonathan should thank this Judge for putting off the ruling. Any ruling that disqualifies Buhari from contesting would have consumed Jonathan and his core of endemically corrupt supporters. He should be grateful to this Judge. If Buhari loses on Saturday, the whole issue would be mute; but if he wins he becomes Nigeria's president and that won't change come April 22. Jonathan should not allow himself to be consumed by greed and ambition. He needs to be more careful.
ReplyDeleteAll this blind supporters I just wish it was one of you that faked result, the ruling would ve been diff. who cares if this country burns, is he guilty or not? That's our biggest problem we play politics with everything, is he above the law? Why postpone the hearing till after election? Did Senegal not sentence presidential aspirant, who happens to be son of ex president for corruption? When I look at our judicial system I feel sorry for those that call themself lawyer, a case of failed system, with the likes of Bank Ole, and co walking free. A man that claims to be anti corruption pioneer can't even produce his result? We ve wiped out shame from our eyes in this country, everyday you put on the tele you see a thief talking abt corruption. I weep for a country that is blinded by greed.
ReplyDeletePDP options to manipulate the election have been exhausted.
ReplyDelete