Take a fresh look at your lifestyle.

Summary of the 3 cases on May 26 that failed to stop Tinubu’s inauguration

214

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.

There were three cases bordering on the eligibility of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, slated for Friday, 26th May, 2023, that failed to stop Tinubu’s inauguration today, May 29.

The first one at the Federal High Court 7 in Abuja sought to stop Tinubu’s swearing in on the ground that he didn’t make 25% of the votes on 25th February as demanded by Section 134 of the constitution. The judge had earlier fixed ruling for Wednesday 24th but didn’t show up with no reason given. The case was re-fixed for May 26 and the judge, yet again, failed to show up. The plaintiffs, who were in court, waited for a judge who swore to uphold the law to report for duty.

The 25% conundrum generated so much controversy even among legal luminaries who cited the Supreme Court ruling in 2005 between then President Olusegun Obasanjo and then General Muhammadu Buhari, which judgement upheld that a candidate must garner at least 25% of votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In the second suit, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went to the Supreme court to challenge Senator Shettima’s double nomination which automatically disqualifies him and Tinubu. The court ruled that the PDP doesn’t have a locus haven brought the matter before the elections — a time when only a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) can bring it.

The apex court refrained from deciding the obvious case on it’s merits, in the overall interest of justice, but relied on technicality of locus standi. The outcome was not unexpected, though, as it was legally defendable. The case, meanwhile, has nothing to do with the one filed by Mr. Peter Obi and his Labour Party at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPC) because after election, every contestant then have locus standi. A lawyer told News Band that Tinubu and Shettima still have a case to answer at PEPC.

The third case bordered on perjury. Tinubu was sued for lying in the forms he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wherein he clearly stated that he possesses only Nigerian citizenship. The plaintiffs provided formidable evidence that he is also a citizen of Guinea-bissau. Lying on oath disqualifies him, as expected. Again, the court fixed ruling for Friday, May 26.

In their response, Tinubu/APC filed a 6-page defence which can be summarised as follows:

  1. Over 60 presidents have been invited for inauguration.
  2. It cost Nigeria so much to prepare for this inauguration.
  3. There would be chaos and break down of law and order if it is cancelled.
  4. The Court does not have jurisdiction, but even if it says it has, it still cannot stop Tinubu’s inauguration.
  5. The cost of another elections are too much for Nigeria to bear at this time.
  6. In short, lock-up and swear Tinubu in so that there be peace!

It was noted, however, that there was not a single defence on the perjury, evidently because it would be lying on oath yet again tantamount to a perjury while defending another perjury!

In the law practice, it generally admissible that facts were not disputed are deemed admitted. So basically, Tinubu’s lawyers just told the court he is a criminal who perjured, but the matter be dead for peace sakes, and to swear him in on Monday.

The court ruled on Friday by 12:30pm in favour of Tinubu despite overbearing evidence and even shockingly awarded N15 million cost against the plaintiffs.

Conclusion

In less than 24 hours, the following bizarre development took place:

  • The Court of Appeal imposed on a former presidential candidate, Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru, N40 million cost over a suit he filed challenging the legitimacy of Tinubu’s election victory.
  • The Supreme Court imposed on PDP/Atiku Abubakar N2 million for filing a double nomination case against Tinubu/Shettima.
  • The Federal High Court imposed on “Concerned Nigerians” 15 million for seeking to stop Tinubu’s inauguration.

It could safely be said that Tinubu’s Presidency has generated 57 million revenue in less than 24 hours before his inauguration today, May 29th.

Reacting, one Barr. Wode said: “For those waiting to come here and gloat that it’s another victory for Tinubu, let it sink in that if a man has to destroy the integrity of so many of our institutions — INEC, DSS, NDLEA, Judiciary — just to be president, then do we really practice a civilian democracy?

“You see why I always repeat that the man Tinubu is a reflection of who some Nigerians have become? I say have become because you may genuinely have been a better person before now but if you can look past all this baggage and hope that this chronic anomally is somehow smuggled into Aso Rock, then you support evil, just like him, and your kids deserve better. No apologies!

“When we filed this matter to court, none of us was under any illusions as to what to expect. But sometimes a man has to stand for something.

“It is interesting that in Tinubu’s response to our claim, he made no effort to deny the substance of the case.

“What this case has proved is that Nigeria is under siege!

“Nigerian’s leaders still exhibit brutish, beastly and animalistic behaviour. They are still very far from civilisation, Democratic tendencies is still foreign to them. And sadly, our so called Judges exhibit same intolerant attitudes to dissent.

“What is abuse of court process in a concerned citizen going to court for a matter that was not previously litigated?

“What is frivolous that some concerned citizens approached the courts to complain that a presidential aspirant lied under oath in the INEC form the said candidate completed to apply for the job of president; that he lied on the documents he filed under oath to be president of Nigeria?

“If you lied on your job application form, how will your employer react?

“N15 million cost? What a joke! They have killed public interest suits. They want to intimidate all Nigerians to silence and some are gloating about it! Read more.

©Copyright 2023 News Band

(If you would like to receive CURRENT NEWS updates from News Band on WhatsApp, or Telegram, or wish send eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to elstimmy@gmail.com and we will respond instantly. Follow us on twitter @News Band; like our Facebook page: News Band.)

Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.