The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Friday, vacated the Federal High Court judgment that was in favour of Oladipupo Adebutu.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-man panel of Justices, ordered the re-hearing of the suit that was filed by an aggrieved aspirant of the party, Jimi Adebisi Lawal.

It held that Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja was wrong to have declined jurisdiction to entertain Lawal’s case.

Lawal had approached the high court to challenge the delegates list that was used in the conduct of the governorship primary election the PDP held in the state on May 25, 2022.

He contended that the list was not in tandem with names of delegates he said were democratically elected at the ward congresses.

Meanwhile, in its judgement that was read on Friday by Justice  Biobele Georgewill, the Court of Appeal held that what Lawal raised in his suit was a pre-election matter which it said the Federal High Court has the requisite jurisdiction to entertain. 

Consequently, the appellate court made an order, remitting the casefile back to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for the matter to be heard on its merit.

The appellate court further noted that the statutory 180 days for hearing of the case, being a pre-election matter, had yet to elapse.

It, therefore, ordered that the matter should be re-assigned to another judge of the high court for fresh hearing.

Other members of the appellate court panel that concurred with the lead judgement, were Justices M. Mustapha and Danlami Senchi.

Adebutu remains Ogun PDP candidate – Campaign Org.

Reacting to reports that Adebutu’s nomination has been repealed by the judgement, Afolabi Orekoya, Media Director, Ladi Adebutu & Akinlade Campaign Organisation said nothing could be farther from the truth. 

A statement he signed reads: “The appellate court on Friday has not given any order relating to the nomination of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Gubernatorial Candidate of OGUN State but ordered that the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court should reassign the case for accelerated hearing.

For clarity purpose and deep understanding of the matter by our supporters and the general public,  Otunba Jimi Lawal approached the appeal court to seek redress in an earlier judgment against him at the federal High Court which was struck out. However, the appeal court found his submission inadequate and only granted a retrial. 

This position of the appellate court has nothing to do with the nomination of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu as the Candidate of OGUN PDP. On this matter, an appeal to the supreme Court is allowed for both parties. 

We call on our members, supporters and the good people of Ogun State to be calm and be assured of VICTORY at the end.”