A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday slated for November 30 judgment in the suit challenging the qualification of Anambra State governor-elect, Prof. Charles Soludo; and Deputy governor-elect, Onyeka Ibezim, to contest the last governorship election in the state.

The PUNCH reported that Justice Taiwo Taiwo fixed the date after lawyers to parties made their final submissions.

The plaintiffs – Adindu Valentine and Egwudike Chukwuebuka – are contending that Soludo provided false information in the affidavit (Form EC9) that he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission and should be deem unqualified to stand for election.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/711/2021, the plaintiffs claimed that Soludo indicated in the affidavit that he was contesting the Aguata 2 Constituency seat when, in fact, he was contesting the Anambra governorship seat.

Defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Soludo and Ibezim.

In their final submission, plaintiffs’ lawyers, A. O. Ijeri and Kelvin Okoko, argued that having indicated the wrong seat he was contesting, Soludo supplied INEC with false information, violated extant legal provisions and ought to be disqualified.

“The constitution has made a state a constituency in relation to the governorship election, but in this case, the third defendant (Soludo) named Aguata 2 as the constituency he is contesting,” Ijeri said.

As against the contention by lawyers to the second to fourth defendants, Ijeri argued that his clients have established that there was a cause of action and that the court has jurisdiction to determine the case.

“The cause of action in a pre-election matter, by the provision of Section 285(9) of the Constitution, is determined by the date of the occurrence of the event, a decision or action complained about in the suit by the plaintiff.

“There is evidence that INEC received the submitted Form EC9 on July 6th 2021,” Ijeri said.

He then prayed the court to find merit in the case and grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

Lawyer for APGA and Soludo, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), argued that the suit was without merit and that the court lacked jurisdiction.

Ikpeazu contended that error in an affidavit cannot be a basis to disqualify a candidate from election, noting that the false information contemplated in Section 31 of the Electoral Act was criminal in nature.

Lawyer to Ibezim, C. Mbaeri, argued in similar vein and prayed the court to uphold his objection and dismiss the suit.

Lawyer to INEC, Bashir Abubakar, said his client did not file any process in the case and has elected to leave the decision at the discretion of the court.

Kwanza:

https://punchng.com/disqualification-suit-soludo-learns-fate-on-nov-30/?amp
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Mynd44

Kwanza:

https://punchng.com/disqualification-suit-soludo-learns-fate-on-nov-30/?amp
Lalasticlala
Mynd44

AsabaPropertyAg:
What is happening here, another supreme court Governor loading in the South East, there is problem and I think Chief Victor Umeh should be questioned on this costly error for mocking Soludo during one of the campaign s. How can Soludo and APGA election screening committee make this costly mistake, lets pray that the 3rd position candidate do not become the next Governor of Anambra State.
This is very embarrassing.....is it really a mistake?. Who filled the form? Remember Govr.Diri....or what is his actual name?

candidbabe:
Reading

fergie001:
I think Soludo will scale through but that is a very very calamitous error.

WisdomFlakes:
If the suit is to succeed it would be based purely on a technicality. But I don't think it will succeed.

chrisxxx:
Fatal error. Soludo may be gone. You cant be given what you have not contested for.

oluseyiforjesus:
Person wey Joe Biden don congratulate??
Anambra no be Imo faaaaaa

Is Inec blind or wat?
Shouldn't Inec know ds b4 election?

Kinterez:
3rd position dancing already to become the governor...supreme court judgement over to u