Friday, May 2, 2025

Supreme Court to deliver judgment in Atiku, Obi’s appeals Thursday

Must read

Ibrahim Ramalan
Ibrahim Ramalan
Ibrahim Ramalan is a graduate of Mass Communications from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. With nearly a decade-long, active journalism practice, Mr Ramalan has been able to rise from a cub reporter to the exalted position of an editor; first as Arts Editor with the Blueprint Newspapers before resigning in 2019; second and presently as an Associate Editor of the Daily Nigerian online newspaper. He can be reached via ibroramalan@gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/ibrahim.ramalana, or @McRamalan on Twitter.
- Advertisement -
tiamin rice
tiamin rice

The Supreme Court is set to deliver judgement on Thursday, in the appeals filed by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abubakar Atiku and Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.

Messrs Atiku and Obi are challenging the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, which dismissed their election petitions challenging the outcome of the Feb. 25 presidential election and affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu.

The Director of Information of the Supreme Court, Mr Festus Akande confirmed the information to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

tiamin rice

The apex court had on Monday, reserved judgment after hearing the appeals of Messrs Obi and Atiku challenging the judgment of the PEPC that affirmed President Tinubu’s victory.

The PEPC on September 6, dismissed Messrs Atiku and Obi’s petitions for lacking in merit and affirmed the election of President Bola Tinubu.

READ ALSO:   Nigerian govt debunks report of likely cancellation of 2023 elections

Miffed by the judgment, the duo approached the Supreme Court asking it to overturn the judgment of the lower court in their favour.

In Atiku’s notice of appeal predicated on 35 grounds, he told the apex court that the PEPC erred on the side of law in the judgment delivered by the Chairman of the panel,  Justice Haruna Tsammani.

Mr Atiku, through his lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN told the court that the judgment of the PEPC was a miscarriage of justice.

He argued that the lower court also erred in law when it failed to nullify the presidential election held on Feb. 25, on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

READ ALSO:   Nasarawa govt to vaccinate young girls against cervical, breast cancers
whatsApp

According to him, by the evidence before the court, INEC conducted the election based on grave and gross misrepresentation contrary to the principles of the Electoral Act 2022, based on the doctrine of legitimate expectation.

Specifically, Mr Atiku asked the Supreme Court to set aside the whole findings and conclusions of the PEPC on the grounds that they did not represent the true picture of the grounds of his petition.

Mr Obi, on the other hand, through his lead counsel Mr Levi Uzoukwu, SAN also prayed the apex court to set aside the judgment of the PEPC that dismissed his petition.

Mr Uzoukwu prayed the court to allow the appeal of his client and grant all the prayers sought.

In their responses, counsel to the respondents, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, President Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress, APC, each urged the court to dismiss the appeals for want of merit and for being frivolous.

READ ALSO:   Akume assumes duty as SGF

Specifically, President Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, SAN described the appeals as lacking in merit.

Mr Olanipekun specifically told the court that the appeal filed by Atiku was abusive in nature and asked the court to dismiss the appeal.

Mahmoud Yakubu, SAN for INEC and Akin Olujimi similarly asked the panel to dismiss the appeals for want of merit.

The seven-man panel of justices led by Justice Inyang Okoro, after hearing both appeals,  said the date for judgment would be communicated to the parties.

Although Atiku and Obi’s petitions were consolidated, they were heard separately.
NAN

- Advertisement -

More articles

- Advertisement -

Latest article

- Advertisement -