Appeal Court Sacks Ibrahim Gusau-Led NFF Board Over Alleged Deceit

The Abuja Division of the Appeal Court on Friday sacked the Ibrahim Gusau-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board. The decision, rendered in Appeal No: CA/ABJ/CV/1006/2022, saw Justice Barika’s panel, accompanied by Justices Okon Abang and Justice Banjoko, nullify all ‘dubious’ orders linked to the purported NFF election of September 30th in Benin City, Edo State. Harrison Jalla, Chairman of the Task Force for the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), affirmed that the court struck down all processes related to the NFF appeal, directing their immediate removal from the court’s systems. Legal representation included NFF’s Jibrin Okutepa SAN, represented by Peace Omiri and Barrister Arnold, while PFAN TASK FORCE had Dr. Celsus Ukpong, Chief Rumson Baribote, and Mary Waribo. The statement issued warned that any ousted NFF Board member presenting themselves post the ongoing AFCON in Ivory Coast would risk criminal contempt proceedings.  At the time of press, no official statement from the NFF has been provided on this significant legal development.

Kebbi Guber: Appeal Court Upholds Nasir Idris’ Election

 The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday, declared Governor Nasir Idris as the authentic winner of the March 8th governorship election of Kebbi State. it therefore, dismissed the appeal of the People’s Democratic Party PDP and its Governorship candidate, General Aminu Bande for lacking in merit. In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Ndukwe Anyannwu, the Appellate Court resolved all the five issues formulated for determination in favour of the governor and against PDP. Justice Anyanwu held that the allegations of forgery of testimonial brought against the Deputy Governor of the State, Abubakar Umar Tafida was not established as required by law. She also held that the issues of non compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act in the conduit of the election could not stand because the appellants failed to proof how the allegations substantially affected the election. Justice Anyanwu subsequently affirmed the judgment of the Kebbi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal which had earlier dismissed the petition of PDP and affirmed the election of the governor.

Kaduna Guber: Appeal Court Upholds Gov Sani’s Election

*Says Election Not Inconclusive The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday, cancelled the Kaduna State Governorship election tribunal order for election rerun and affirmed the election of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State. The Appellate Court dismissed an appeal instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Mohammed Ashiru, challenging the outcome of the governorship election that was held in the state on March 18. In a lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Obietonbara Daniel-Kalio, the court upheld the verdict of the Kaduna State Election Petition Tribunal, which validated Governor Sani’s election. It held that the tribunal was right in its majority decision when it declared the petition by the PDP and its candidate as abandoned. It resolved all the five issues that were raised in the appeal, against the Appellants. Justice Obietonbara Owupele Daniel-Kalio who read judgments of the Court of Appeal on the main and cross appeal, also reversed the order of the Tribunal on the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to conduct supplementary elections in 22 polling units in four Local Government Areas of the state. In the main appeal, Justice Daniel-Kalio resolved all the five formulated issues against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2023 election, Mohammed Isah Ashiru. The five issues bothered on alleged malpractices, over voting, manipulation of results collations and ballot stuffing made by PDP and its Governorship candidate. In the cross appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress APC, which challenged the declaration of the election inconclusive, the Court of Appeal resolved the three formulated issues in favour of the party and vacated the declaration of the Tribunal. The Court held that evidence relied upon by the Tribunal to declare the election inconclusive were manifestly bad, unreliable and ought not to have given any probative value. A 3- man panel of Justices of the Court headed by Justice Obietonbara Owupele Daniel-Kalio and supported by James Gambo Abundaga and Mohamed Baba Idris delivered the unanimous judgments. “The appeal lacks merit and it is accordingly dismissed. Parties are to bear their respective costs,” the court held. “An order dismissing the alternative reliefs of the petition for a supplementary election in any polling unit in Kaduna State, which was granted by the tribunal. “An order striking out the 1st and 2nd cross respondents’ (PDP and Isa) petition for being statute barred. “An order striking out the 1st and 2nd cross respondents’ petition for non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022. Earlier, the panel had dismissed Ashiru’s appeal before making pronouncement on the cross appeal.  Governor Sani’s cross-appeal was argued by his legal team, headed by former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN. The governor, in his cross-appeal against the alternative ruling, listed 14 grounds of errors, committed by the tribunal in arriving at its second conclusion.

Appeal Court Ruling: I’m Undeterred, Says Governor Dauda Lawal

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said he remains undeterred following the Appeal Court’s Thursday declaration of the state’s gubernatorial election as inconclusive. Recall that the Appeal Court in Abuja voided the election that produced Lawal as winner while declaring a rerun in three local government areas. In response to the ruling, Governor Lawal expressed confidence in the unwavering support of the people for progress and development in the state. Terming the court’s decision as a “temporary setback,” Governor Lawal reaffirmed his resolute commitment to honouring the people’s mandate.  He assured Zamfara citizens of his dedication to pursuing all legal avenues to ensure a fair and just resolution. “The ruling by the Appeal Court is a temporary setback,” said Governor Lawal.  “However, I remain optimistic that the collective decision of the people will ultimately prevail.” Acknowledging the challenges faced during the previous election, Governor Lawal emphasized his determination to uphold what he termed the “widely acclaimed mandate” and called for calm among the populace while his legal team rigorously reviews the verdict. “We will emerge victorious,” Governor Lawal affirmed.  “Our unwavering determination and steadfast commitment leave no room for doubt or fear.” Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, the governor urged the people of Zamfara to remain composed, stating, “Our legal team is thoroughly reviewing the verdict. We will follow through with the necessary actions to achieve a just outcome.”

Appeal Court Ruling, Victory For Lavun/Mokwa/Edati People, Democracy- Gana

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of Hon. Joshua Audu Gana of the People Democratic Party (PDP) for the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency, Niger State (2023-2027). Responding to the historical judgement, Hon Gana said: “My dear Constituents on Wednesday, 1st November 2023, the Court of Appeal Abuja delivered a historic ruling on Appeal CA/ABJ/EP/HR/59/2023 where the Judges unanimously affirmed the mandate you freely gave me on February 25, 2023 election as the duly and rightful winner of that election.” It could be recalled that that the National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal on September, 11th 2023 nullified Gana’s election and of which Hon. Gana appealed that judgement at the appellate Court. “The affirmation by the Court of Appeal truly brings to rest the contest for our Federal Constituency,” he said. The Court of Appeal on Wednesday, a three-man member unanimously upheld the argument by the lawyer of Gana, that the Tribunal was wrong to have held in favour of the petition, Abdullahi Usman Gbatamagi and the All Progressive Party (APC). Describing the judgement, Gana said: “Our victory at the Court, which is a clear reflection of what happened on Election Day reinforces the principle that the judiciary is the final hope for the common man and democracy.” Still speaking on the judgment, he said that when the Election Petition Tribunal ruled against him on September, 11th 2023, he was sure that it would not stand, “I was optimistic that the tribunal had erred and that travesty of justice was not going to stand and today, their Lords at the Court of Appeal agreed with us that we won the elections,” he said. He promised all inclusive representative saying, “We will not take the electorate for granted. We see the judgement as an opportunity to serve our people as a means of deepening the democratic culture and all hands must be on the deck in serving our people,” he promised. To his constituents, he made more promises to them saying, “I wish to assure you my good constituents that I am more than ever ready to serve and will be more focused and consistent in drawing attention to issues affecting our constituency and follow through until solutions and resolutions are found.” He called on his APC counterpart not to see the judgement as a blow, but to join hands with him in bringing development to their constituents. “I urge my brother and friend Hon. Abdullahi Usman to see the outcome as a true expression of the people’s will and God’s doing and give all the support that is required for the good of our people as we shall be magnanimous even in victory,” he said. Hon. (Dr) Joshua Audu Gana, member Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency, Niger State (2023-2027).

Appeal Court sacks Suswam from Semate

The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the election of former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, as senator representing North East Senatorial District of the state. The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, said it was satisfied that Suswam was not the valid winner of the senatorial election that held on February 25. It faulted the judgement of the Benue State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which returned Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Senate, after it nullified the election victory of Emmanuel Udende of the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the appellate court, the tribunal wrongly evaluated the evidence that was presented before it by the parties in the matter and thereby arrived at an erroneous conclusion that upheld the petition Suswam filed to challenge Udende’s election victory. Consequently, the court voided the judgement of the tribunal, saying it found merit in the appeal that was lodged before it by the APC candidate. “The judgement of the tribunal delivered on 8th of September, 2023 is hereby set aside. “The return of the appellant as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial election that was held on February 25 is hereby affirmed. “Parties are to bear their respective cost,” the court held in its lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Abimbola Adejumo, who led the panel. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Udende as winner of the senatorial election after he polled a total of 135,573 votes to defeat Suswam who garnered 112,231 votes. Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, Suswam approached the tribunal on the ground that it was marred by over-voting, irregularities, alterations and falsification of results. In its judgement, the tribunal held that Suswam successfully established his case that irregularities took place in five out of seven LGAs in the senatorial district. The tribunal cancelled 51,895 votes entered for Udende and also cancelled 21,229 votes entered for Suswam. After subtracting the padded votes, Suswam was left with 90,590 while Udende scored 82,699 votes. The tribunal, headed by Justice Ori Zik-Ikeoha, entered judgment in Suswam’s favour, a decision that was vacated by the appellate court on Wednesday.