HeadlineBayelsa: Supreme Court Upholds Own Judgement Sacking APC’s David Lyon

Bayelsa: Supreme Court Upholds Own Judgement Sacking APC’s David Lyon

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BEVERLY HILLS, February 26, (THEWILL) – The Supreme Court has upheld its judgement which sacked David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor-elect of Bayelsa State.

THEWILL recalls that the apex court, on February 13, sacked Lyon of the APC barely 24 hours to his inauguration.

A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Odili nullified Mr Lyon’s election on the grounds that his deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to aid his qualification for the November 16 governorship election in State.

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Subsequently, the court ordered INEC to declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread the winner of the election. The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Douye Diri, was later sworn in as governor.

ALSO READ: Bayelsa Dep Gov Denies Allegation Of Certificate Forgery

This was sequel to a suit filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, against the APC candidates and INEC, seeking the disqualification of the APC deputy governorship candidate.

Representing Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo at the review is Afe Babalola, who argued that the apex court has the power to set aside its earlier judgment.

He insisted that the application is not for a review of the judgment but to set aside the judgment sacking Lyon who overwhelmingly won the election.
Babalola added that the judgment of the court delivered on February 13, amounts to a denial of fair hearing.

Justice Sylvester Ngwuta presided and was assisted by six other judges.

According to Justice Amina Augie who read the judgment on Wednesday, the application lacked merit and the decisions of the court are final.

She added that the applicants failed to point out errors, stating that the judgment is final for all ages.

The apex court judge said the judgment is final in the ‘real sense’ and no court on earth can review the judgment.

“There must be an end to litigation even if we review this judgment, every disaffected litigant will bring similar applications and the finality of Supreme Court judgments will be lost.”

She added that the applications are frivolous and vexatious, and awarded the cost of N10 million against the applicants to be personally paid by their counsel.

Justice Augie added that the counsels of the APC and Mr Lyon are to each pay Governor Douye Diri, his deputy Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the PDP the same N10 million.

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