Court dismisses another suit against Akpabio’s election

THE Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, dismissed the application by a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant, Mr. Imo Udo, seeking to be joined as a defendant in the suit instituted by Engr. Frank Okon against the Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

It would be recalled that Mr Imo Udo who had participated in the Akwa Ibom State PDP gubernatorial primaries and had scored one vote, had sought to be joined as a defendant in the suit by Engr. Okon seeking the nullification of the primaries.

Counsel to Governor Akpabio, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), who opposed the application had argued that the suit can be heard and concluded between the parties without any reference to or input from the applicant. He argued that there was no aspect of the suit that required Imo Udo for effectual determination and concluded that Imo Udo and the defendants had no common interest whatsoever.

Justice Abdul Kafarati in his ruling on the application described Imo Udo as a confused person who might not have been properly advised by his legal counsel. He said his case was an abuse of the court process. He accordingly dismissed his application to join the suit and struck out the matter.

Having disposed of Imo Udo’s matter, counsel to PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, moved motions for extension of time to file their counter-affidavits and their written addressees.

Justice Kafarati subsequently adjourned the matter to May 3, 2012 for adoption of written addresses and hearing of the substantive matter.