Supreme Court Dismisses ADC’s Appeal Against Gombe Governor Mohammed Yahaya

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nafiu Bala, against the election of Muhammad Yahaya, as Governor of Gombe State.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun dismissed the appeal, shortly after it was withdrawn by the appellants.

Meanwhile, the apex court has adjourned to Friday, 19th January, 2023 for judgment in the other appeal filed by Jibrin Barde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The panel fixed Friday for judgment shortly after parties adopted and argued their briefs of arguments in the appeal which expires on Sunday January 21.

At the hearing, the apex court panel confronted counsel to the ADC and Bala’s lawyer, Mr Herbert Nwoye on the incompetence of his client’s case and the need not to waste the court’s time.

Nwoye subsequently applied to withdraw the appeal which was not opposed by the respondents and was accordingly dismissed.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had in November last year, affirmed the election of Muhammad Yahaya as Governor of Gombe State.

The appellate court had affirmed Yahaya’s election shortly after dismissing two separate appeals challenging his declaration as winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.

Lateefah Ibrahim