The Abuja Court of Appeal has taken a significant step in the legal battle surrounding the March 18 governorship election in Nasarawa state as it reserves judgment in the appeal filed by Governor Abdullahi Sule challenging the tribunal’s verdict that nullified his election victory.
A three-member panel of justices, presided over by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, made this announcement after the counsels involved adopted their written briefs in Abuja.
Justice Onyemenam informed the parties that the date for delivering the judgment would be communicated to them in due course.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who serves as Governor Sule’s counsel, passionately argued for the dismissal of the tribunal’s judgment and the allowance of his client’s appeal.
Olanipekun contended that the Tribunal had failed to consider the submissions of their witnesses during the hearing and pointed out that data from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), tendered to the Tribunal, were presented without adequate explanation.
In response, Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing David Ombugadu and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), urged the Court to uphold the Tribunal’s judgment and dismiss Governor Sule’s appeal. Agabi emphasized that their evidence primarily consisted of documentary material.
The crux of the matter lies in the challenge to the validity of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s election as the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Nasarawa state. The tribunal had previously nullified his victory and declared Mr. David Ombugadu of the PDP as the rightful winner of the election.
Governor Sule’s Notice of Appeal was filed through his lead Counsel, and this legal battle has captured the attention of many, as it could potentially alter the political landscape in Nasarawa state. As the Abuja Court of Appeal reserves judgment, the fate of the governorship election hangs in the balance, awaiting the court’s final decision.
The parties involved in this legal battle will anxiously await the Court’s judgment, which is expected to clarify the future leadership of Nasarawa state.
