Its Over: Jimoh Ibrahim Loses At Supreme Court
SAN FRANCISCO, November 24, (THEWILL) – The Supreme Court, on Thursday , refused to upturn the decision of the Court of Appeal relating to the dispute over the leadership tussle between the Ali Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Makarfi factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The five-man panel of the apex court led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onoghen, referred back to the appellate court all pending cases declaring that the apex court was not ready to hear the cases piecemeal.
Justice Onnoghen, who read the lead ruling, held that the pending appeals before the apex court had become academic in view of the judgment of the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led panel of the Court of Appeal, on Wednesday which reinstated Eyitayo Jegede as the PDP's governorship candidate in the Ondo State election.
He directed that the appellants should raise the issues in their interlocutory appeals in when they file substantive appeals which they wish to file against the Court of Appeal's judgment delivered on Thursday .
The Apex court also struck out all pending appeals relating to the candidacy of the PDP for the Saturday's governorship election in Ondo State.
A senior Lawyer who spoke to THEWILL opined that with the ruling, the appellants, led by Biyi Poroye and the state executives of the Sheriff faction of the party in the various states in the South-West zone, who are backing Jimoh Ibrahim, have to “either abide by the decision of the Court of Appeal or file for a stay of execution which is almost impossible.”
“It is over,” he said.
Story by Oputah David