A Federal High Court sitting in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, has moved its ruling to determine its jurisdiction to hear the suit challenging the eligibility of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to contest the 2015 presidential elections.
The suit was filed by the duo of Chukwuwike Okafor and Donald
Daunamigba, who are both represented by popular legal practitioner,
Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN)
The court presided by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, also ruled on a request
by the plaintiff to consolidate all the applications in the law suit.
Ozekhome told the court that he had received a number of preliminary
objections and applications for joinder in the suit. He, however,
pleaded with the court to fast-track the hearing in view of the fact
that the general elections are barely a week away.
Channels reports that he urged the court to consolidate all applications
in the suit and decide on it, together with the substantive suit.
In a swift reaction to Ozekhome pleas, All Progressive Congress (APC)
lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Buhari’s representative, Alhaji
Lateef Fagbemi quickly rejected the application.
According to them, there are conditions precedent to the hearing and
determination of a suit. They argued that it is not a must in law that a
pre-election matter must be determined before the said election.
After listening to all parties, Justice Adeniyi Ademola adjourned to March 23 to rule on the application.
With less that two weeks to the presidential election the suits seeking
to stop Buhari from contesting the election has gained momentum.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has declared President Goodluck Jonathan eligible to seek reelection in the polls.
Read more here: The Article
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