……awards N500,000 cost against Sylva
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – The Supreme Court, Friday, dismissed an
appeal that sought to sack Governor Seriake
Dickson of Bayelsa State from office.
The appeal was lodged before the apex court by
the immediate past governor of the state, Timipre
Sylva.
Sylva went before the court to challenge the
legality of the 2012 governorship primary election
of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that
produced Dickson.
The appellant urged the court to among other
things, determine “Whether having regard to the
clear provision of section 178(2) of the 1999
constitution, as amended, and the Supreme Court
judgment in the consolidated appeal of Marwa v.
Nyako (2012) 5NWLR (Pt. 1296), delivered on
January 27, 2012 wherein the court held that the
tenure of the plaintiff as the Governor of Bayelsa
State had long expired since May 29, 2012 (sic) the
gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state became due
since April 29, 2011″.
He contended that he won the initial governorship
primary election the PDP held in Bayelsa state with
his name submitted to the Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC.
He said that the PDP subsequently abandoned the
outcome of that primary poll and conducted a
fresh one. Though Sylva also purchased nomination
form to participate in the 2012 primaries, he was
screened and dropped by the party.
Meantime, in their unanimous judgment yesterday,
a five-man panel of Justices of the apex court led
by Justice Muhammad Muntaka-Coomasie, upheld
the concurrent decisions of both the Federal High
Court in Yenegoa and the Court of Appeal, even
as it dismissed Sylva’s suit for want of merit.
The court maintained that Sylva lacked the right to
question the conduct of an election in which he did
not take part as a contestant.
“In addition, the appellant has not demonstrated
any perversity in the concurrent findings of the two
courts below and ipso facto this court will not
disturb the findings. This appeal borders
dangerously on abuse of court process. The
election for which the appellant won the primaries
was cancelled outright”.
The apex court held that the former governor is “a
busy body, an interloper who had no reasonable
ground to believe in the success of his action. And
he had the temerity to defy the concurrent
decisions of the two courts below to continue his
abuse of processes of court in the apex court.
“The political class may have unlimited funds and
time at their disposal but the court’s time is
precious and should not be wasted in pursuit of
shadows by any party or person.
“The two issues having been resolved against the
appellant, I find no merit in the appeal which is
hereby dismissed. Appellant is to pay costs of N500,
000 to the 3rd Respondent (Dickson)”, held Justice
Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta who read the lead
judgment.
The court held that INEC and PDP, who were cited
as 1st and 2nd Respondent in the matter should
bear their respective costs.
Justices Suleiman Galadima, John Okoro and Chime
Nweze, equally concurred with the verdict.

incase u land fp

Bamoha:
incase u land fp

lolzzz that is if seun & his mods consider it good enough.

Though this is the first post on Supreme Court ruling in Nairaland

On behalf of Sylver I wish to apologize first to gov Dickson and the people of Bayelsa for the inconveniences the senseless court case must have cost them. You should take solace that the highest court of the land has confirmed him to be a busy body and interloper that he is. His ascendancy as gov was a mistaken that should not be repeat.

We nid to thank mr president for he has bin and he's still a defendeer of d law cum judiciary! No president dead or alive has done dis in history.

worthytalk:
On behalf of Sylver I wish to apologize first to gov Dickson and the people of Bayelsa for the inconveniences the senseless court case must have cost them. You should take solace that the highest court of the land has confirmed him to be a busy body and interloper that he is. His ascendancy as gov was a mistaken that should not be repeat.

these judges has foul mouth oh... When i read that “busy body & interloper“ i just laughed my head off...

OREMUSSANCTUS:
We nid to thank mr president for he has bin and he's still a defendeer of d law cum judiciary! No president dead or alive has done dis in history.

our president is a democrat thats he doesnt meddle with the judiciary

Ngwakwe ikenna351 afam4eva oam4j maclatunj make una take this to front page... In the morning now one of una or una person go postam and it will make front page...

Chigold101:
Ngwakwe ikenna351 afam4eva oam4j maclatunj make una take this to front page... In the morning now one of una or una person go postam and it will make front page...

seems so most time. I have seen post like that too. They should please send this op's post to front page.




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Ok