Court dismisses Ortom, PDP, INEC appeals against APC – TheNigerialawyer

The Appeal Court sitting in Makurdi, the Benue state capital
Friday dismissed appeals filed separately by the trio of Governor
Samuel Ortom, Independent National Elections Commission (INEC) and
the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against Emmanuel Jime and the
All Progressive Congress (APC).

The court also awarded N200, 000 each as cost against the
appellants.

The trios are respondents in Emmanuel Jime and the All
Progressive Congress (APC) petition at the tribunal holding at
Makurdi.

The five (5) Man appeal panel led by Hon. Justice Jummai H.
Sankey while dismissing the appeals in a unanimous decision
described the appeals as lacking in merit and abuse of court
process.

INEC, Samuel Ortom and the PDP had, in separate appeals
approached the Court of appeal to challenge the decision of the
lower court (Tribunal) to reserve ruling on applications file
before it till the final day of judgement.

They appellants variously argued and submitted before the appeal
court that differing ruling on applications to the last day of
judgement amount to denial or breach of fair hearing.

But in its ruling, the appeal court declared that the appellants
failed to show course on how their right to fair hearing is
breached or threatened.

Read Also; Confusion over succession at Federal High Court
“We have painstakingly looked at the arguments canvassed by the
applicants but failed to see where and how their right for fair
hearing is breached.

“We rather found out that the cry for denial of fair hearing is
speculative, and since speculation has no place in law, we hereby
declare that this appeal is lacking in merit and is hereby
dismissed.

J .H Sankey addressing counsels in court after delivering
judgement on the three appeals said, “we are doing everything
possible to discourage these appeals brought before us in
piecemeal.

“Counsels should educate their client on the need to wait till
judgement is delivered at the lower court before approaching the
appeal court.”

Shiite Protest: Police Beef Up Security
Nationwide

The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has
ordered the immediate beef-up of security in all the States of the
Federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
This is in the face of series of violent protest and unrest by
members of the El-zazakky group in the FCT.

Meanwhile, the IGP has assured citizens that proactive measures
including aerial surveillance of major cities have been emplaced to
ensure the safety and security of lives and property of all
Nigerians. In addition, Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of
Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) nationwide have
been mandated to ensure customized security arrangements are put in
place in their Area of Responsibilities (AORs) to checkmate the
activities of criminals and any possible threat to public peace. He
however, enjoins citizens to be wary of circulating unsubstantiated
security advisories capable of creating undue fear, panic and
apprehension in the country.

The IGP has further advised all would-be protesters to ensure
they express their grievances within the ambit of the law so as not
to infringe on the constitutional rights of other citizens or cause
breach of public peace.

DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA​