Falana Wants Appeal Court’s Review of Gov. Abba, 2 Other Govs’ Verdicts
A human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has urged the Supreme Court to review the judgements delivered by the Court of Appeal which sacked three state governors of the opposition parties.
Recall that the appelete court had in separate judgements last week nullified the election victory of Governors Abba Yusuf of Kano, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau states.
The judgements have, however, sparked nation-wide criticism, with the opposition party alleging a plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to impose a one-party system.
But speaking during an interview on Channels TV on Sunday, Mr Falana expressed optimism that the apex court would address the needless controversy generated by the judgement.
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He said: “If you look at what happened in Lagos, it is different from what happened in Plateau. You are being told in Plateau that there was a judgement of the High Court to the effect that primaries have to be conducted. The judgement, as usual, was dishonoured and disobeyed, and the election went on.
“It is different from Kano where you are being told that voters can be punished. It is a very dangerous judicial policy to sanction voters for the mistake of electoral officers.
“We are being told that 165,000 votes are wasted; they are invalid because some electoral officers committed an error by not stamping them. How does that affect the validity of the election?” Mr Falana said.
“I do hope that this time around, the Supreme Court will resolve these needless controversies surrounding the non-stamping of ballot papers by INEC officials who have not been recommended for any sanction.
“This is why these judgments will have to be reviewed,” the Senior Advocate of Nigeria added.
