Court Awards Cost Against AAC Presidential Candidate, Omoyele Sowore

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, has penalized the
presidential candidate of African Action Congress, (AAC) Omoyele
Sowore for filing what the court considered a frivolous court
process.

Justice Z. D. Senchi awarded the sum of Five Thousand Three
Hundred Naira (N5, 300.00) as penalty against Mr. Sowore and all
other Plaintiffs in favour John Momoh (OON).

Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC); Mr
Omoyele Sowore protested his exclusion from the Presidential Debate
of 19 January 2019.

In the suit filed by African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore And
Dr. Rabiu Ahmed Refai Vs. Nigerian Election Debate Group Ltd/Gte,
Incorporated Trustees Of The Broadcasting Organization Of Nigeria
And John Momoh (Oon) with suit number CV/652/19 Plaintiffs asked
the court to declare the exclusion as discriminatory and contrary
to Electoral Act 2010 and Fundamental Human Rights.

They also asked the court to order and set aside the exclusion
and restraining the Defendants from organizing the 2019
Presidential Election Debate.

On the last adjourned date, Mr. Sowore and Dr. Rabui were both
in court with their counsel (Inibehe Effiog, Esq.) as well as the
counsel (Ayo Ogundele, Esq) and the representatives of Nigerian
Election Debate Group Ltd/GTE And Incorporated Trustees Of The
Broadcasting Organization Of Nigeria.

John Momoh was not in court, his team of lawyers led by
Onyekachi Umah, Esq were in court.

The counsel to the Plaintiffs sought to orally discontinue
action against John Momoh.

Court insisted same must be done properly in writing. Having
already filed a defence and preliminary objection, Onyekachi Umah,
Esq insisted that cost must be awarded in favour of his client;
John Momoh.

The court finally struck out the name of John Momoh as well as
all claims against him.

Unfortunately for Mr. Sowore and his team, the Judge who was
presiding over the matter was a vacation judge standing in for
other judges on Christmas holiday and as such could not proceed
with the hearing of the entire matter.

Consequently, the judge transferred the case back to the Chief
Judge of Federal Capital Territory for reassignment to another
judge. The Presidential Debate has come and gone but Mr. Sowore did
not participate and his case lives on.