Court of Appeal Strikes Out APC's Appeal Against Nullified Local Government Elections in Osun State

Strategic Insights -

The Court of Appeal in Akure has delivered a unanimous decision striking out the All Progressives Congress's (APC) appeal against the 2022 Federal High Court judgment that nullified local government elections held in Osun State. The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit, citing the APC's failure to act promptly on its legal rights as a self-inflicted injury. The decision emphasized the principle of equity, stating that it aids the vigilant and not the indolent. The court also questioned the APC's sincerity in pursuing the appeal, noting that the party had abandoned the case for two years without presenting a credible reason for the delay.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Court of Appeal in Akure struck out the APC's appeal against the nullified local government elections in Osun State, declaring it lacked merit.
  • The court emphasized the APC's failure to act promptly on its legal rights as a self-inflicted injury, citing the principle of volenti non fit injuria.
  • The panel rejected the APC's attempt to revive the dismissed appeal, warning that granting such a request would create confusion.
  • The decision was made in a unanimous decision delivered virtually on Friday, with Justice Peter Obiorah reading the judgment.
  • The court questioned the APC's sincerity in pursuing the appeal, noting that the party had abandoned the case for two years without presenting a credible reason for the delay.
  • Justice Obiorah pointed out that the APC had pursued a similar appeal based on the same facts and before the same judge, Justice Ayo Emmanuel, yet failed to prosecute the case diligently.
  • The panel highlighted that the application lacked merit and was hereby dismissed.
  • The decision stems from the controversy surrounding the local government elections held in October 2022, which saw APC candidates declared winners across the state.
  • A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo nullified the elections in November 2022, sacking all elected chairmen and councillors.

Statistics:

  • 2022: The year in which the local government elections were held in Osun State and subsequently nullified by the Federal High Court.
  • 10/2022: The month and year the local government elections were conducted in Osun State.
  • 11/2022: The month and year the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo nullified the elections, sacking all elected chairmen and councillors.
  • 2024: The year in which the decision will impact the Osun State local government elections.

Sources:

  • [News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)]
  • [ Vanguard Newspaper (Vanguard) ]