Ondo 2016: Supreme Court Orders Appeal Court to Rule On Jegede, Jimoh Ibrahim’s PDP Crisis

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Politics Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Supreme Court has dismissed stay of proceeding filed by the Ali Modu-Sheriff faction of the opposition PDP and directed Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led three-man Appeal court panel Abuja division, to proceed and deliver its ruling on the pending appeal before it.

The Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP had approached the Appellate court to oppose the substitution by the INEC of its candidate Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, with the rival faction candidate, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim.

Justice Saulawa last Friday suspended the ruling of his panel, so as to await the apex court ruling today (Tuesday) on the stay of proceeding suit filed by the Bonu-Sheriff faction of the PDP.

In his leading ruling, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onoghene, directed the Court of Appeal to resume hearing of all appeals relating to rows between Ahmed Makarfi’s faction candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, and Ali Modu Sheriff’s Jimoh Ibrahim factions.

In addition, the acting CJN found the plaintiff wanting, therefore awarded a fine of N250,000 against Modu-Sheriff faction of the opposition party.

Counsel to the appellant, Mr. Beluolisa Nwofor, argued that Ahmed Makarfi motion at the appeal court be dismissed, but Justice Onoghene declined.

The crisis emanated from Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, which ruled that the Modu-Sheriff faction of the PDP was the version recognized by the law.

The Ondo Gubernatorial election is scheduled for this Saturday, November 26, 2016.