Federal High Court Dismisses Lawsuit Filed by Anderson Asemota Challenging Candidacy of Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata for Guber

A Federal High Court in Abuja dismisses suit against the Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate

The Federal High Court in Abuja today, Wednesday, July 17th, 2024, has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Anderson Asemota challenging the candidacy of Olumide Akpata for the Edo State governorship race.

The court ruled that the Plaimtiff, having not contested in the Primaries conducted by Julius Abure, lacked the locus standi to sue.

Key points of the judgement:

1. On Locus Standi: Justice Omotosho upheld the 2nd Defendant’s objection that the 1st Plaimtiff, having not contested in the primary conducted by Julius Abure, lacked the locus standi to sue. Case dismissed on this basis.

2. The Court also upheld 2nd Defendant’s objection that the suit is not justiciable since the primary election of Asemota was conducted by Lamidi Apapa, who has no power to so conduct anu Primaries having been suspended from the Labour Party. Nomination for governorship candidate only being within the remit of the Party.

3. The onus of Proof on the Plaintffs: The Plaintiffs’ case predicated on the an interim order. The Court upheld 2nd Defendant’s submission that the lifespan of that Order was for 7 days and can only be extended for another 7 days. The Plaintiffs failed to prove their case and same dismissed.