Labour Party: Appeal Court sacks Alex Otti suspending Federal High Court judgement

 

The Court of Appeal in Kano has taken a significant step in the ongoing case involving the Labour Party (LP) candidates in Abia State. In a recent development, the Court of Appeal has suspended the judgment of the Federal High Court, which had invalidated the primaries that led to the selection of Alex Otti and other LP candidates in Abia State.

This decision was made by Justice Mbaba on Saturday, who not only suspended the judgment but also granted Alex Otti's application to appeal as an interested party. In doing so, the Court of Appeal has put the judgment of the Federal High Court on hold temporarily. The appeal will now be heard and determined before any further actions are taken based on the initial judgment.

The Court of Appeal's order was issued in response to a motion for leave filed by the Abia Governor-Elect. The motion sought permission to appeal as an interested party against the judgment delivered by the Kano Division of the Federal High Court on May 18, 2023, in Suit No. FHC/KN/CS/107/2023. The Court of Appeal has granted this request, allowing the Abia Governor-Elect to participate in the appeal process.

Moreover, the Appellate Court has gone a step further by granting an order for stay and suspension of the judgment issued by Justice Yunusa J. of the lower court. This means that the effects of the judgment will be put on hold until the appeal, for which leave has been granted, is heard and resolved.

The suspension of the judgment by the Court of Appeal signifies a significant development in the case. It offers a ray of hope to Alex Otti and the other LP candidates whose positions were challenged by the previous ruling. As the appeal process progresses, all parties involved will eagerly await a final decision that will determine the validity of the LP primaries in Abia State.