The All Progressives Congress (APC) has requested the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja to transfer a case brought by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, a defeated governorship aspirant, from Abuja to Ondo State. This request was made in a letter written by APC’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, citing the convenience of the parties involved, as both the plaintiff and defendants are based in Ondo State, and there is also a Federal High Court in the state.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim filed the suit at the Abuja Division of the Court on May 3, 2024, seeking to invalidate the primary election that produced Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the APC candidate for the November election. The defendants named in the suit include APC, Governor Aiyedatiwa, and INEC.
During the mention of the case on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, before Justice Inyang Ekwo, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim was represented by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, while APC was represented by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, leading Matthew Burka, SAN, Sunusi, SAN, Professor Abdulkareem Gana, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and other lawyers. Bode Olanipekun, SAN, represented Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, leading Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, while Chief Charles Edosomwan, SAN, with Suleiman, SAN, represented INEC.
All defendants had been served with the Originating Summons, although their time to file their defenses was still running. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, confirmed service on APC and informed the Court that a letter had been written to the Chief Judge requesting the transfer of the case to the Akure Division, in compliance with the Practice Direction regulating the venue of pre-election cases.
Bode Olanipekun, SAN, confirmed service of the originating summons on Governor Aiyedatiwa and aligned himself with the argument for transferring the case to the Akure Division. Similarly, Chief Charles Edosomwan, SAN, confirmed service on INEC and concurred with the position on transferring the case to Akure.
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the case to May 29, 2024, for mention, after considering the arguments of counsel to the parties.
Sahara Reporters