The Supreme Court has rejected an application by Emeka Ihedioha, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking the removal of Hope Uzodinma from the position of Imo state governor.
Ihedioha’s plea aimed at obtaining a consequential order for the issuance of a certificate of return, declaring him the rightful winner of the 2019 gubernatorial election in Imo state.
INEC Presents Certificate of Return to Uzodimma After Victory
Justice Tijjani Abubakar, delivering the lead judgment on Tuesday, declared the application lacking in merit, deeming it frivolous and vexatious. He asserted that the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter, pointing out that the stipulated 60-day period for addressing election disputes had already expired.
In a noteworthy move, Justice Abubakar imposed a fine of N40 million on the PDP’s counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, for bringing what was deemed an unwarranted matter before the court.