The Supreme Court has reserved judgement on the Plateau state Governor`s appeal, Caleb Mutfwang against his dismissal.
The five-member panel, presided over by Chief Justice John Okoro reserved judgement after listening to arguments presented by lawyers representing the concerned parties.
The courtroom witnessed a charged exchange during the appeal hearing, as Mr. Mutfwang’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, and Mr. Yilwatda’s counsel, J.O Olatoke, presented their cases.
The Supreme Court announced that the date for judgement would be communicated to the parties involved.
The eagerly awaited verdict is expected to be delivered before January 16, marking the expiration of the appeal.
Background
The Governor`s appeal, seeks to affirm his election victory nullified by the Court of Appeal in November 2023.
During the governorship poll on March 18, Mr. Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured 525,299 votes, surpassing the All Progressives Congress candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda, who garnered 481,370 votes.
This legal saga traces its roots to the tribunal’s decision on September 28, 2023, where issues raised by the petitioners on party structure were deemed pre-election matters.
The tribunal, led by Rita Irele-Ifijeh, held that Yilwatda and the APC lacked the locus standi to challenge it. Furthermore, it acknowledged PDP’s compliance with a court order for a repeat congress on September 25, 2021.
Read also: Tribunal Ousts 3 Plateau PDP Lawmakers Over Primaries
On November 19, 2023, a unanimous decision by a three-member panel ruled that Mr. Muftwang was not sponsored by the PDP.
The court considered the appeal by Nentawe Yilwatda of the APC valid, highlighting that the issue of qualification was both a pre and post-election matter.
The ruling also emphasized the PDP’s breach of the law by not conducting valid congresses, as directed by the Plateau State High Court in Jos, before nominating candidates for elective posts.
Author: AbdulBasit Abdulkareem
