Edo poll: Court dismisses suit challenging Akpata’s candidacy

The Federal High Court in Benin on Monday dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Olumide Akpata as the Labour Party governorship candidate for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

Justice Babatunde Quadri ruled that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit filed by Kenneth Imasuagbon, who competed with Akpata for the LP governorship ticket.

The court held that Imasuagbon failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the Labour Party before seeking legal action.

The court further said that Imasuagbon’s claim of Akpata not signing the indemnity form is statute-barred.

The court also declared the lawsuit as premature and without substantial evidence to support its claims.

The judge said, “This court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the suit; it lacks merit and is based on speculation. The claimant failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution of the party before seeking legal action, hence, robbing the court of jurisdiction.

“The claim that Akpata did not sign did not sign the indemnity form is status-barred and therefore the court lacks jurisdiction.”

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]