S’court dismisses suit seeking to review judgment affirming Odii as Ebonyi PDP guber candidate

The supreme court has struck out a request seeking to reverse its judgment which affirmed Ifeanyi Odii as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi state.

Joseph Ogba, senator representing Ebonyi central, and Odii were engaged in a legal battle over who was validly elected following parallel primaries held by the PDP in Ebonyi.

On September 14, the supreme court had, in a unanimous judgment, overturned the decision of the court of appeal which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Ogba as the PDP governorship candidate.

However, Ogba filed an application before the apex court asking for a review of the judgment.

At the court session on Friday, Paul Erokoro, counsel to the appellant, had attempted to argue his application, but made a U-turn after the five-member panel of the court reprimanded him for bringing such an application.

The court said the senior counsel ought to have considered judicial precedent, indicating that the supreme court cannot reverse itself.

Also, Chris Uche, counsel to Odii, vehemently opposed the request on the grounds that it constituted a gross abuse of the supreme court rules.

Erokoro then moved to withdraw the application.

Consequently, Amina Augie, who led the panel, struck out the application for review.