Court dismisses AAC suit seeking to nullify Edo guber poll

• Obaseki swears in eight High Court judges, pledges more support to judiciary
A Federal High Court in Benin City presided by Justice Adefunmilola Demi-Ajayi, yesterday, dismissed a suit filed by the African Action Congress (AAC) seeking to nullify the September 19, 2020 Edo State governorship election.

The plaintiffs approached the court over claims that the defendants, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) excluded the names of their candidates prior to the poll.

Delivering the judgment, the court held that although it was within the plaintiffs’ rights to file their applications within 14 days of publishing the names of governorship candidates by the defendants, it maintained that their counsel was complacent.

The court held that since the forms were not collected or refused by the defendants, it was not possible for same names to be published by INEC who do not have the information and thereby dismissed the applications for being filed out of time.

It also awarded the cost of N100, 000 in favour of the defendants.

The AAC had filed a suit seeking the nullification of the September 19, 2020 election over alleged unlawful exclusion of their political party from the list of parties that contested in the poll.

They also alleged that the defendants refused to accept the forms of their candidates.

MEANWHILE, Obaseki, has sworn-in eight new judges appointed to the Edo State High Court and assured the judiciary of his administration’s greater support.

The governor gave the assurance, while addressing the new judges during their swearing-in ceremony at Government House, Benin City.

He congratulated the judges and urged them to carry out their duties without fear or favour as their appointment is from God and not any man.

The new judges are, Aziegbemhin Williams Idemudia, Igho Patricia Braimoh, Esohe Irene Bazuaye, Etinosa Gloria Adekanmbi, Hassana Garuba Oshione, Theresa Irenonsen Eghe-Abe, Ogbevoen Rachel Aiteseme and Itsueli Mary Enoredia.

Obaseki said his administration has taken a step further in making Edo one of the judicial hubs in the country, stating: “Today, history is made with the swearing in of eight new judges for Edo State High Court, which is part of our commitment to strengthen the judiciary.”

Responding on behalf of the new judges, Idemudia assured that they would uphold the principle of justice and stand against corruption and impunity.