Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a legal action instituted by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim against the candidacy of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa as governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State.
The suit, mainly challenging the conduct of the primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa for the forthcoming gubernatorial poll, was thrown out following its dramatic withdrawal by the Senator.
Justice Ekwo had on Tuesday, May 14 ordered the APC, Aiyedatiwa and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to file their defense in the suit seeking the removal of Aiyedatiwa as APC governorship candidate for November 2024 election.
However at Wednesday’s proceedings, Ibrahim’s lawyer, Mike Uche, informed the court that his client had resolved to withdraw from the suit.
He told Justice Ekwo that the withdrawal notice dated May 27 but filed on May 28 had already been served on the defendants as required.
Lawyers representing the various defendants confirmed receipt of the notice of withdrawal and did not object to the withdrawal notice.
Justice Ekwo dismissed the suit in its entirety on the ground that parties have already joined issues with each other before the withdrawal.
Details later.