Court Gavel
Rivers Assembly: Court dismisses LP suit against INEC
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit brought forth by the Labour Party (LP) seeking an order for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election to fill seats in the Rivers House of Assembly vacated by defected lawmakers.
Justice James Omotosho ruled in favour of striking out the suit after LP’s counsel, F. I. Adariku, requested the case be withdrawn.
The LP sought the court’s intervention to compel INEC to conduct a new election for vacant seats by lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, INEC, represented by Victor Giwa, opposed the suit, labelling it frivolous and incompetent and citing it as an abuse of the court process.
READ ALSO:
Giwa contended that the LP lacked the legal standing and territorial jurisdiction to bring the action, emphasizing a pending case in a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which addressed the same subject matter and involved the same parties.
Upon INEC’s objection, LP withdrew the suit, prompting Adariku to seek its dismissal.
While A. S. Adisa, representing Giwa, did not contest the withdrawal, he requested a cost of N500,000.
In his ruling on May 3, later sighted on Monday, Justice Omotosho ordered LP to pay a cost of N50,000 in favor of INEC.
The suit involved several defendants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and numerous lawmakers.
Updated: One feared dead, seven rescued in Lagos two-storey building collapse A child was feared…
Abductors demand N900m ransom to release Hausa musician's mother A group of bandits who kidnapped Hajiya…
Biden faces growing pressure to quit race as Democrats question fitness United States President Joe…
Israel strikes southern Gaza after ordering evacuations GAZA STRIP: Israel carried out fresh strikes in…
Couple jailed 11 years for sexually assaulting 15-year-old girl in Lagos The Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence…
US has ‘undeniable complicity’ in Gaza killings - Ex-American officials WASHINGTON: A dozen former US government…