2019: Court dismisses suit seeking Wike’s disqualification

A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed a suit
filed by Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, an aide of the Minister of
Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, asking the court to
disqualify Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike from
contesting the 2019 Governorship Election on account of age
declaration.

Ruling on Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/1020/2018, filed by the Rivers
APC Factional Chieftain, Justice I.E. Ekwo ordered that the suit be
discontinued as was prayed by the plaintiff.

Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, an aide of the Minister of
Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had sued Governor Wike and
joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as
co-defendants in a suit ordered by the Rivers APC Faction loyal to
the Former Rivers State Governor.

William-Wobodo told the court: “Ordinarily this matter is stated
for mention today. But counsel on the other side has filed a motion
challenging the jurisdiction of the court. However, I intend to
withdraw this suit just like I informed the learned SAN on the
other side. I made that decision over the weekend and my colleague
in chamber is trying to file a notice of discontinuance so that we
can bring it to the Court formally. But if the Court is minded, we
intend to discontinue this application.”

Justice Ekwo ordered: “After hearing Achinike Godwin
William-Wobodo Esq Plaintiff apply in person to discontinue the
suit against the defendants and the counsels of the defendants not
opposing the application but applying for a cost of N1,000,000 and
the court having granted the application, it is hereby ordered as
follows:

“That the suit is hereby dismissed.

“That a cost of N50,000 is hereby awarded for the second
defendant (Nyesom Ezenwo Wike) against the plaintiff”.

Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo applied to discontinue the suit
after counsels to Governor Wike challenged the jurisdiction of the
court to hear the suit.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was duly nominated to
fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) for Rivers
State in the 2019 General election at a Governorship Primary on
September 30, 2018 at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.

Unhappy with the development, a Rivers APC Faction loyal to
Minister of Transportation, briefed Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo
who approached the Federal High Court, Abuja to seek the
disqualification of Governor Wike from seeking re-election on
account of alleged age declaration.

It will be recalled that a Rivers State High Court in Port
Harcourt presided over by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu nullified the
primaries and congresses conducted by Rivers APC, leaving the party
with no governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly
Candidates in the 2019 General Elections.

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