The All Progressives Congress APC has initiated a bid to delay the hearing of the case challenging the eligibility of its candidates in the upcoming governorship election in Edo State.
The party has written a petition against the trial judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for giving the case expeditious hearing.
In a petition addressed to the Court’s Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, dated 20th of August, 2020 and signed by the National Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, the party said the grant of abridgment of time was premature, because the motion for it had yet to be moved
The APC wants the case file withdrawn from Justice Taiwo.
When the matter came up on Monday, counsel for Ize-Iyamu, Roland Otaru and that of APC Ehiogie West-Idahosa drew the attention of Justice Taiwo to the petition and asked him to suspend proceedings, pending when the chief judge will give a directive on the petition.
Justice Taiwo however told the defendants’ counsel that a mere petition that has yet to be treated by the Chief Judge, administratively, is not reason enough to hands off a pre-election matter, which by its nature, the practice direction and the Nigerian constitution is already time bound, which must be decided within a specified period of time.
The defendants therefore applied for adjournment, to enable them react to issues raised in the suit and to also allow the plaintiffs, move a motion on notice for the matter to be heard during vacation.
The case has been adjourned till September 3 for hearing of pending motions.
The plaintiffs, led by Momoh Abdul-Razak had sued the APC, Ize-Iyamu, INEC and Audu Ganiyu, praying for an order of court, to stop Ize-Iyamu’s participation in the election, on account of alleged ineligibility.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
