Court Adjourns Suit Seeking To Stop Ize-Iyamu As An APC Governorship Aspirant
A Benin High Court in Edo State on Thursday adjourned hearing in a suit seeking to restrain Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from parading himself as a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which entitles to participate in the Party primary election scheduled for June 22, 2020.
The suit was filed by the Deputy Chairman of the APC faction loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Pastor Kenneth Asekomhe; a party chief, Mr. Benjamin Oghumu, on behalf of himself and the executive committee of the APC in Orhiomwon Local Government Area; and Mr. Matthew Ogbebor on behalf of himself and the executive committee of Ugbogbo Ward 5.
The plaintiffs/claimants are seeking an order restraining Pastor Ize-Iyamu from parading himself as an aspirant in the APC primary election fixed for June 22, 2020.
They also want an order of the court to restrain the APC from recognising Ize-Iyamu as an aspirant of the party.
Joined in the suit are the APC, the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The plaintiffs, who are being represented by Kenneth Mozia, SAN, and Santos Owootori, sought to know whether Article 31(2) of APC constitution was not in conflict with Section 177(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as it relates to the qualification for election to the office of a governor of a state.
There was however a twist to the claimants demands when the defendants’ lawyers, led by Henry Ogbodu, SAN, and Victor Oyosuma, appeared in the matter and demanded to be served the motion papers and origination summons.
Accordingly, the presiding judge, Justice H. Ahaomoje, declined to grant the exparte motion but gave the defendants 10 days to file their response while counsels for the plaintiffs/claimants were given two days to reply.
