Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja has dismissed a suit by the impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu and others, seeking to void Asue Ighodalo’s nomination, as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
In a judgement, Justice Omotosho held that the suit, which challenged Ighodalo’s qualification because he allegedly forged his voter’s card, was statute-barred.
Justice Omotosho held that the suit, being a Pre-election case, was filed outside the 14 days allowed under Section 285(9) of the Constitution.
The judge also held that even though forgery or non-possession of a voter’s card was a disqualifying factor under Section 182 of the Constitution, the plaintiff failed to prove that Ighodalo forged his voter’s card as alleged by the plaintiffs.
The judge dismissed the case for lacking in merit.
The court also held that Shaibu lacked the right to challenge the primary that produced Ighodalo, having not participated in the exercise.
