Court Sets January 20 For Judgement of Gov Bello's Double Registration

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Friday, has set January 20 for the judgment of double registration of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.


Presenting his case, the lead Counsel to the Plaintiff, Chief Mike Ozhokome (SAN), argued that the court must deliver judgment before swearing in ceremony of governor Yahaya Bello.

Ozhokome (SAN), said they filed originating summon Exhibit NAT1 to NAT5 with a six paragraph affidavi and another nine paragraph affidavit filed 27th November, a counter affidavit in response to first defendant and seven paragraph counter affidavit in response to third respondent.

"We hereby adopt all in support of our case in line with section 24 of the electoral act that the third Respondent was and is not qualified to contest the last Kogi governorship election.

"INEC admitted and discharged two staffs for registering Yahaya Bello two times. In cases like Ihuli and Agada, once fraud is involved you cannot be talking about preelection matter.

"The person must not be a member of that political party. A candidate nominated for an election is open to be challenged by anyone.

"The court should make a consequential order restraining the inauguration of Yahaya Bello until the suit is determined", he argued.

Adopting the processes, the lead Counsel to the first Defendant, Abdulwahab Muhammed urged the court to dismiss the suit.

He argued that, the case is a preelection matter and the case is tale. "Is it a fraud? No, fraud is already recognized as a ground for disqualification. I urge your lordship to dismiss it as this is just going to be a mere academic exercise", he argued.

On his own argument, the Counsel to the Second Defendant, Alhassan A UBA argued that by section 28-9, the plaintiff ought to file 14 days the case was committed, adding that  the plaintiff failed to file their case within the speculated period.

"The substance of our defense in this matter is that the third Defendant has never been tried or convicted by the court of law. The supreme court holds that unless convicted of fraud the person cannot be disqualified, on this ground we urge your lordship to dismiss the suit", he argued.

The Counsel to the third Defendant,  N.Y. Abdullahi urged the court to dismiss the argument on the ground that Yahaya Bello was never involve in double registration.

"We urge your lordship to dismiss this petition. We also want to ask that there is not any way a registration will take place without data capturing  in the INEC machine.

"The third Defendant was not in the country on the said day. If truly the case is related to fraud, then it cannot be determined here, it should be determined via late summon not originating, we urge your lordship to dismiss the suit", he argued.

In his ruling, Justice I.E. Ekwo adjourned the case to January 20 for judgment.