In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has dismissed an application filed by Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aiming to unseat Hope Uzodinma from his position as the governor of Imo State.
Ihedioha’s plea to the court sought a consequential order instructing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to him as the duly elected governor of Imo State in the 2019 election.
Justice Tijjani Abubakar, delivering the lead judgment on Tuesday, declared that the application lacked merit, deeming it frivolous and vexatious. The justice emphasized that the court did not possess the jurisdiction to determine the matter, pointing out that the stipulated 60-day period for handling election matters had already elapsed.
In a further blow, Justice Abubakar imposed a fine of N40 million on Mike Ozekhome, SAN, the counsel representing the PDP, for bringing what the court deemed a baseless matter before them.
Details on this development will be provided as they emerge.