…dismisses appeal, awards N2m cost against party
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned for Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16 by the PDP.
In a unanimous judgment on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.
It held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have entered the October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
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The Court of Appeal faulted the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to have heard the case on the grounds that issues involved were solely internal affairs of the party.
The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi to have institutes the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied fair hearing as it claimed in its appeal.
The court awarded N2million cost against the PDP for filing a frivolous appeal.
The court is yet to render its decisions in the remaining eight appeals, which include judgment and rulings
Details shortly…
