C/River: Court dismisses Usani’s case against Enoh, APC

An FCT High Court in Apo has dismissed a suit instituted by Minister of Niger Delta Development, Uguru Usani, challenging the primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State.

Usani, who lost out in the September 30, 2018 governorship primary election that produced Senator John Enoh as the flag bearer of the APC in the state, had subsequently sued APC, Enoh and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Delivering judgment, yesterday, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi held that Usani had failed to adduce evidence to substantiate his claims.

The judge said documentary evidence before the court indicated that the APC governorship primary was conducted on Sept. 30, 2018.

The judge also held that the court was satisfied with evidence that showed that APC conducted the exercise in collaboration with the state executives of the party. He further said the court admitted in evidence a proof that officials of INEC were at hand to monitor the exercise.

Adeniyi, therefore, said the action ought not to have been instituted as the party had satisfied all requirements as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act in the conduct of the exercise.

“In the final analysis, the judgment of this court is that the case lacks merit and the court lacks the jurisdiction to undo what has been done rightly. The suit is hereby dismissed,’’ the judge held.