The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the March 18 governorship election, Ladi Adebutu.
A five-member panel of justices presided by Justice Inyang Okoro on Thursday also refused to hear the cross appeals by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the matter.
The panel informed APC counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), that the main appeal filed before the apex covers it.
Adebutu’s appeal is seeking the nullification of Governor Abiodun’s declaration as winner of the election on the ground that the Electoral Act, 2022 was not adhered to, citing corrupt practices and issue of non-qualification.
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In adopting his brief of arguments, counsel to Adebutu and PDP, Chris Uche (SAN), said INEC ought to have conducted fresh elections in 99 polling units where elections were cancelled.
Specifically, PDP and Adebutu want the Supreme Court to set aside and dismiss the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which had on November 23, affirmed the decision of the election tribunal in upholding Adiodun’s victory.
INEC’s counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko, asked the apex court to dismiss the appeal.
In their judgment, two justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adebutu for lacking in merit, while Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang saw merit in the petition and thereby ordered INEC to withdraw the certificate of return presented to Abiodun and conduct another election in 99 polling units where elections were disrupted.
