Buhari’s Eligibility Hearing Fixed For Feb. 23 As APC Files Counter Suit

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Nigeria 2015 Election, Politics Monday, February 9th, 2015

From Ganiyu Nasirudeen – Following Justice Ademola Adeniyi of an Abuja High Court last week’s ruling granting prayer that its Presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rted), be served via substituted means on the eligibility or otherwise to contest March 28 election, the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), has filed parallel suit to challenge the ruling.

It would be recalled Justice Adeniyi last week had, in two separate suits contesting the eligibility of General Buhari (rted) granted ex – parte orders to the plaintiffs to serve the defendants via national daily publications. The court also granted abridgment of time frame within which the defendants in the two suits must respond.

The opposition party and its Presidential candidate, through their Counsels, Chief Wole Olanipekun and Lateef Fagbemi, established to the court that they would file applications to challenge the competence of the suits and the steps taken in the litigation from the outset.

Consequently, they prayed the court to adjourn the hearing, so as to process and file necessary papers. This was granted as the next hearing was fixed for February 23, 2015.

The plaintiffs were represented in court Monday, by Chukwunweike Okafor and Max Ozoaka. The Lawyers argued that the INEC Form submitted by Gen, Buhari did not meet the requirements in line with sections 31(1)(2) & (3) and 31(8) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended)

Among of the issues in contention by the plaintiffs were the suits challenging that the INEC FORM CF 001 which was submitted to the INEC by the opposition Presidential candidate was incomplete, therefore asked the court to declare the form as incompetent and disqualify the opposition candidate.