BREAKING: Court rejects suit to disqualify Akpata as LP’s candidate ahead of Edo guber

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on Friday dismissed a suit filed by Kenneth Imansuangbon, which sought to disqualify Olumide Akpata as the Labour Party’s (LP) candidate for the September 21 Edo governorship election.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu dismissed the suit, ruling that it was statute-barred, as it was filed outside the 14-day period after the cause of action arose.

The Labour Party conducted its governorship primary election in Edo on February 23, where Akpata was declared the winner.

Dissatisfied with the outcome, Imansuangbon, through his counsel, Anthony Malik, SAN, filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/472/2024 on April 12 to challenge Mr. Akpata’s emergence.

In the originating summons, Imansuangbon sued Akpata, Oluyinka Alufohai, the LP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first to fourth defendants, respectively.

The plaintiff sought to invalidate Akpata and Alufohai’s nominations as governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the LP, alleging that Akpata submitted forged documents in his Form EC9.

However, Akpata, through his counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, filed a notice of preliminary objection, arguing that the suit was statute-barred and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain it.

Usman also argued that the originating summons was incompetent, as it was accompanied by an incompetent written address.

In his judgment, Justice Egwuatu upheld Usman’s objection, agreeing with the senior lawyer’s argument. The judge ruled that the suit was statute-barred and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain it.

Consequently, the suit was dismissed, affirming the Labour Party’s nomination of Akpata and Alufohai.