IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA
HOLDEN AT ABUJA
ON FRIDAY, THE 12TH DAY OF JANUARY,2024
BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS
BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS
JOHN INYANG OKORO
UWANI MUSA ABBA AJI.
HELEN MORONKEJI OGUNWUMIJU.
EMMANUEL AKOMAYE AGIM.
ADAMU JAURO.
JUSTICE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA
JUSTICE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA
JUSTICE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA
JUSTICE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA
JUSTICE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA
- HIGH CHIEF IKECHI EMENIKE
- ALL PROGRESSIVE CONGRESS (APC).
AND
- INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
- LABOUR PARTY.
- DR. ALEX CHIOMA OTTI.
- PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
- CHIEF AMBROSE OKECHUKWU AHIWE.
- YOUNG PROGRESSIVE PARTY.
- HON. CHIOMA ENYINNAYA NWAFOR.
APPELLANT
RESPONDENT
SC/CV/1252/2023
JUDGEMENT DELIVERED BY ADAMU JAURO,JSC
I had a preview of the judgement just delivered by my learned brother, Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC. I entirely agree with the reasoning and conclusions contained therein, to the effect that the appeal is lacking in merit and ought to be dismissed.
At the election for the Office of Governor of Abia State held on 18th March 2023, the 3rd Respondent emerged winner with 175,467 vote, the 5th Respondent finished in second place with 88,529 votes, the 7th Respondent finished third with 28,972 votes. While the 1st Appellant who was the first petitioner before the Abia State Governorship Election Tribunal came a distant fourth with a paltry 24,091 votes.
I agree that, apart from the fact that the Appellants are requesting that this court performs a judicial miracle by disqualifying the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Respondents who finished first, second, and third, respectively, at the election, the issues raised in this appeal are identical to and have been resolved in appeal No. SC/CV/1250/2023.
For these and the more elaborate reasons given in the lead judgment, I too hereby dismiss the appeal. I abide by the consequential orders made in the lead judgment.
Appeal dismissed.
ADAMU JAURO
JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT
APPEARANCES
MR ABUBAKAR MALAMI, SAN; MR TOCHUKWU D. MADUKA, SAN; UBONG ESOP AKPAN, ESQ; REMI AWE, ESQ; AND IDONGESIT EKPO, ESQ, FOR THE APPELLANTS.
J.O. ADESINA, SAN, FOR THE 1ST RESPONDENT; WITH HIM, DR. NASIRU TIJJANI, ESQ; S.G. UDOH, ESQ AND W.O. EKOHUIBIYI, ESQ. MR TOCHUKWU KENECHUKWU NWEKE, ESQ, FOR THE 2ND RESPONDENT; WITH HIM, DR OBINNA ONYA, ESQ AND JULIUS MBA, ESQ.
MR OMOSANYA POPOOLA, ESQ, FOR THE 3RD RESPONDENT; WITH HIM, T.K OYEDEJI, ESQ AND M.K FIDELIS, ESQ.
UDOCHI IHEANACHO, ESQ, FOR THE 4TH AND 5TH RESPONDENTS; WITH HIM, CHUKWUEMEKA NWAOGU, ESQ; EMEKA EZE, ESQ; CHIJIOKE NWOGU, ESQ AND CHIKEODI OKEORJI.
C.N NWIGWE, ESQ; WITH HIM, ADEBIMPE OREKOYA, ESQ, FOR THE 6TH RESPONDENT.
NNAMDI N. AHAAIWE, ESQ, FOR THE 7TH RESPONDENT; WITH HIM, OGOCHUKWU N. OFOR, ESQ AND OBINNA C. OCHIOBI, ESQ.
