Benue governorship poll: Tribunal dismisses ACN, ANPP petitions

Suswam

The Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi on Tuesday dismissed the petitions filed by the Action Congress of Nigeria’s candidate, Prof. Torkuma Ugba  and his All Nigeria Peoples Party’s counterpart, Professor Daniel Saror for lack of jurisdiction.
The tribunal based its ruling on the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in the Borno Appeal case which said judgment must be delivered within 180 days in writing from the day a petition was filed.
Earlier, counsels to Governor Gabriel  Suswam, Peoples Democratic Party and the Independent  National Electoral Commission, D.D.Dodo (SAN), Chief Solomon Akuma (SAN) and Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) moved a motion which sought to terminate further proceeding  on the two petitions.
 "Section 285 has become a law in Nigeria and has been interpreted and applied by the Supreme Court and to do otherwise will amount to judicial suicide,” Dodo said.
 He urged the tribunal to strike out the petitions immediately.
 Chief Akuma and Okutepa aligned themselves with the argument of Suswam’ counsel, who is the first respondent in the petition.
In his counter argument, counsel to the ACN governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN),  who appeared with Femi Falana,Jeo Abaagu and Jeol Agor urged the court to disregard Suswan’s counsel and hear the petition on its merit.