Rivers 2019: Court dismisses suit seeking disqualification of Governor Wike
Achinike Godwin William-Wobodo, asking the court to disqualify the
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, from contesting the 2019
Governorship Election on account of age declaration.
William-Wobodo applied to discontinue the suit after counsels to
Governor Wike challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the
suit.
Ruling on Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/1020/2018, filed by the Rivers APC
chieftain, Justice I.E. Ekwo ordered that the suit be discontinued as
was prayed for by the plaintiff.
William-Wobodo, said to be an aide of the Minister of Transportation,
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had sued Governor Wike and joined the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as co-defendant.
When the matter came up in court, William-Wobodo said: "Ordinarily
this matter is stated for mention today. But counsel on the other side
has filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court. However,
I intend to withdraw this suit just like I informed the learned SAN on
the other side. I made that decision over the weekend and my colleague
in chamber is trying to file a notice of discontinuance so that we can
bring it to the Court formally. But if the Court is minded, we intend
to discontinue this application."
Justice Ekwo ordered: "After hearing William-Wobodo Esq plaintiff
applied in person to discontinue the suit against the defendants and
the counsels of the defendants not opposing the application but
applying for a cost of N1,000,000 and the court having granted the
application, it is hereby ordered as follows:
"That the suit is hereby dismissed.
"That a cost of N50,000 is hereby awarded for the second defendant
(Nyesom Ezenwo Wike) against the plaintiff."
The Rivers State Governor, Wike was duly nominated to fly the flag of
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) in the 2019 general election in
Rivers State at a Governorship Primary held on September 30, 2018 at
the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.
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