Supreme Court dismisses appeals challenging Ubah’s election victory

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeals filed by Chief Chris Uba and Dr. Obinna Uzor against Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.The suits were challenging the election of Ubah as the representative of Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

The apex court, yesterday, in a unanimous judgment read by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta held that the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) lacked the territorial jurisdiction to determine a matter that arose from the primary election conducted in Anambra State.

According to the five-man panel, the cause of action emanated from Anambra and not the Federal Capital Territory.Counsel to Chris Uba and Obinna, Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) and Chino Obiagwu (SAN), had urged the court to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had nullified the judgment of Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court.

and allow their appeals on the ground that the FCT High Court had territorial jurisdiction over pre-election matters.

They held that what determined the cause of action was the originating process.But Ubah’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), in his argument, countered their submissions, urging for the ruling of the appellate court to be sustained.
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