From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgments on two separate appeals against the result of the March 18 governorship elections in Taraba and Sokoto States.
A five-member panel of the court led by Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun decided after various counsel had adopted their briefs of arguments.
In the case of Taraba, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and its governorship candidate, Prof Yahaya Sani are challenging the declaration of Governor Kefas Agbu, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the gubernatorial election in the state.
Counsel to the incumbent governor and PDP, Kanu Agabi SAN, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, asked the apex court to either strike out the case of the appellants or dismiss it outrightly.
Agabi told Justice Kekere-Ekun that the case of the NNPP and its governorship candidate was lacking in merit and substance.
He said that the appeal of the appellants was grossly incompetent to be considered because of the several flaws in the way the case was couched and presented at the Apex Court.
On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), simply adopted the arguments canvassed by the governor’s lawyer in resolving the dispute on the governorship election.
But in his submission, lead counsel to the petitioner, Olusegun Jolaawo SAN, appealed to the panel to allow the case of his clients and grant all the reliefs they are praying.
The Court of Appeal Abuja, had affirmed the election of PDP and Kefas Agbu as Governor of Taraba State.
The three-member panel of the appellate court in two separate appeals held that Agbu was lawfully declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Taraba State.
Agabi told Justice Kekere-Ekun that the case of the NNPP and its governorship candidate was lacking in merit and substance.
He said that the appeal of the appellants was grossly incompetent to be considered because of the several flaws in the way the case was couched and presented at the Apex Court.
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC adopted the arguments canvassed by the governor’s lawyer in resolving the dispute on the governorship election.
Reacting, Olusegun Jolaawo SAN, lead counsel to the NNPP and Sani, appealed to the panel to allow the case of his clients and grant all the reliefs they are praying for.
The Court of Appeal Abuja, had affirmed the election of PDP and Kefas Agbu as Governor of Taraba State.
The three-member panel of the appellate court in two separate appeals held that Agbu; was lawfully declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Taraba State.
Olanipekun maintained that none of the allegations raised against the election of his client was established as required by law, thereby making the appeal liable to dismissal.
The All Progressives Congress, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, all adopted Olanipekun’s address in asking the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal.
On the other hand, the PDP and Umar, prayed the court to find merit in the appeal, and set aside the findings and decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Tribunal which had last year dismissed the petition.
Lead counsel to the appellants, Sunday Ibrahim Ameh SAN, submitted that the case of his clients was meritorious and should be allowed.
After hearing the parties, the apex court reserved judgment on the appeal.