Court Verdict: Be Calm, Our Victory Is Near - Adebutu Tells Supporters

 •Adebutu

                

The Daily Crucible | Friday, September 30, 2022

Former federal lawmaker, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, has called on his teeming supporters to remain calm regarding the Abuja appellate court judgement, assuring them that collectively, they would be victorious at the end of the day.

Adebutu said that the appellate court in its verdict on Friday did not give any order relating to his nomination as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State for the 2023 gubernatorial election.

Speaking through his media aide, 

Afolabi Orekoya, the governorship hopeful 

clarified that the Court only ordered that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court should reassign the case for accelerated hearing.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had earlier today, Friday,  delivered judgment in Appeal no. CA/ABJ/CV/898/2022 between Otunba Jimi Adebisi Lawal Vs (1) PDP; (2) Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) (3) Oladipupo Adebutu allowing Lawal's appeal against the judgment of FHC Abuja Division, Coram Taiwo, Taiwo, J. declining jurisdiction over the challenge of the PDP's utilisation of a delegates' list, in the conduct of the governorship primary election of 25th May 2022, other than the list of delegates who were democratically elected for that purpose at the Ward congresses.

In the lead judgment, B. A. Georgewill, JCA held that the issue is Pre-election matter, over which the Federal High Court (FHC) has jurisdiction and following failure of Taiwo Taiwo, J. to decide the suit on its merit, and since the period of 180 days for determination of Pre-election matters is still running, suit was  remitted to the Chief Judge of the FHC to assign to another judge for trial.

His colleagues, M. Mustapha and D. Z. Senchi, JJCA concurred.

But reacting to the development in astatement by Orekoya who doubled as Media Director, Ladi Adebutu and Adekunle Akinlade Campaign Organisation, he noted that the appeal court found Lawal's submission inadequate and only granted a retrial of the case. 

"For clarity purpose and deep understanding of the matter by our supporters and the general public,  Otunba Jimi Lawal approached the appeal court to seek redress in an earlier judgment against him at the federal High Court which was struck out. However, the appeal court found his submission inadequate and only granted a retrial. 

"This position of the appellate court has nothing to do with the nomination of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu as the Candidate of OGUN PDP. On this matter, an appeal to the supreme Court is allowed for both parties. 

"We call on our members, supporters and the good people of Ogun State to be calm and be assured of VICTORY at the end," the statement reads in part.