An Abuja Federal High court Has dismissed the exparte application by Farrah Dagogo seeking to stop the People’s Democratic Party governorship Primaries in Rivers State.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo dismissed the suit on grounds that the application was filed late and as such the urgency in the suit cannot be imposed on the court.
By the federal high court’s decision, Farah Dagogo, a member of the House of Representatives cannot participate in the May 25 2022, Peoples Democratic Party governorship primaries in Rivers state.
Farah Dagogo who was arrested on the day scheduled for screening of Governorship aspirants for Rivers had accused the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike, of being behind his travails.
Upon his arrest, Dagogo has been in police custody after being accused of sponsoring thugs to cause disruption in the state.
This prompted Dagogo to approach the court seeking to stop the party primaries from going ahead without him as an aspirant.
Justice Taiwo had ordered the PDP and INEC who were absent at the first hearing to appear in court and show cause why the injunctive order filed by Dagogo should not be granted against them.
Appearing in court on the next adjourned date to show cause, the PDP argued that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case.
Delivering his ruling in the suit, Justice Taiwo held that there was a delay on the part of the applicant, having filed the substantive suit on May 12 and then waited for 6 days to have filed the exparte application seeking to stop the party governorship primaries.
Dismissing the suit, Justice Taiwo held that urgency was self induced, stating that the applicant didn’t participate in the screening exercise of the party and as such doesn’t have the locus standi to institute the suit in the first place.
He therefore adjourned the hearing on the substantive suit to June 7, 2022.
Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie