In a shock transfer, the plaintiffs in a swimsuit searching for an extension of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure have deserted the case regardless of the pending willpower of the petitions earlier than a Presidential Election Petition. Justice Inyang Ekwo made this recognized on Friday in a ruling on the swimsuit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/656/23 filed by Justice Initiative for the Deprived and Oppressed Individuals and Lawman Nzenwa, 1st and 2nd plaintiffs within the matter.
Justice Ekwo was disenchanted that neither the plaintiffs nor their lawyer had been in court docket for the listening to. He stated: “It appears the plaintiffs and their lawyer have run away; they’ve deserted their case.” He added that what the plaintiffs are searching for is unconstitutional and may by no means be granted.
Additionally learn: New SGF, George Akume, Vows To Work With President Tinubu
The plaintiffs had filed the swimsuit on Could 12, by way of their lawyer. They’d sued the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Lawyer-Basic of Federation, AGF, the Chief of Defence Employees, and the Inspector-Basic of Police as the first to 4th defendants. Additionally they sued others together with Sen. Bola Tinubu, Sen. Kassim Shettima, Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mr Peter Obi, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senate President and Speaker, Home of Representatives as fifth to eleventh defendants respectively.
Of their originating summons, they’d sought an order extending Buhari’s tenure farther from Could 29 to such a time the presidential election petition would have been resolved in in some way. Additionally they wished an order mandating the Senate president and Speaker to invoke the precept of necessity and move a decision extending Buhari’s tenure after Could 29 until when Abubakar’s petition in opposition to the presidential election is resolved. Moreover, they sought an order directing the previous president to not hand over the workplaces of the president and vice chairman to Tinubu and Shettima till the election petitions are totally and at last disposed of by the courts, amongst others.
Additionally learn: Gubernatorial Candidate Of The NNPP, Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, Backs TUC’s N200,000 Minimal Wage Proposal For Nigeria Staff
It stays unclear why the plaintiffs selected to desert the case, however many have speculated that they realized the futility of their demand or obtained some form of behind-the-scenes settlement. The case had been producing consideration within the media, and plenty of had discovered it laughable. The information media had described the plaintiffs’ calls for as frivolous, embarrassing and an entire waste of judiciary time.
Whereas this case received dismissed, it raises the significance of extra substantial lawsuits that search to advance the widespread good and maintain elected officers accountable. A extra strong judiciary system is significant to the expansion and improvement of any nation. In Nigeria, specifically, the battle for judicial independence has been a long-standing challenge. So, it’s heartening to see {that a} choose like Justice Ekwo is standing up for the rule of regulation and the independence of the judiciary.
Additionally learn: Republican Presidential Hopeful Nikki Haley Sparks Controversy With Views On Transgender Children In Faculty Sports activities
In conclusion, it’s not completely clear what led the plaintiffs to desert their case searching for to increase Buhari’s tenure. Nevertheless, the case’s dismissal reveals that the petitioners seemingly realized the unconstitutionality of their request. As Nigeria continues to navigate its political panorama, it’s important to emphasise the necessity for extra substantial instances that promote the general public curiosity and guarantee accountability.