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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Supreme Court has affirmed the election óf Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State after dismissing the appeal by the All Progressives Congress Bauchi governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar against his election for lacking in merit
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa resolved all the six issues raised in the appeal against the appellant.
Consequently, the apex court affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on November 17, 2023, upholding the election victors of Governor Bala Mohammed.
Justice Saulawa held that “having exhaustively resolved all the six issues raised in the appeal against the appellant, the appeal is devoid of merit and is hereby dismissed.
” Accordingly, the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on November 17 is hereby affirmed.
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa held that the appellant could not prove that the forms used for the election were not properly filled.
The appellate court further held that the APC candidate failed to provide credible evidence and testimony to buttress his allegations.
Abubakar who was displeased with the appeal court’s verdict appealed at the Supreme Court.
He argued through his counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), that the court failed to make a pronouncement on the invalid electoral documents tendered as evidence.
However, lead counsel for the governor, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), whoo described the appeal as needless said the appellant did not produce any witness to back the documents presented.
He said, “The appellants never brought any witnesses to speak to the electoral documents tendered at the tribunal.
“They did not have materials to support their case. I urge my lords to dismiss this appeal. ”
ounsel for the governor, Chris Uche, however, described the appeal as needless.
Uche said the appellant did not produce any witness to back the documents presented.
He said, “The appellants never brought any witnesses to speak to the electoral documents tendered at the tribunal.
“They did not have materials to support their case. I urge my lords to dismiss this appeal. ”
After listening to the parties’ argument, the five-man panel of the court led by John Okoro reserved judgment on the matter.
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