Binani discontinues suit against INEC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Sen. Aisha Dahiru-Ahmed, popularly known as Binani, has withdrawn the suit filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the Adamawa governorship election.
During the Adamawa supplementary election held on April 15, 2023, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa-Ari, illegally announced Binani as the winner of the election while results collation was ongoing.
Yunusa-Ari was suspended by INEC and the collation was put on hold, when the process resumed, incumbent Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defeated Ms. Binani to emerge the winner.
However, the APC candidate had prayed to the court for a judicial review of the decision by INEC to reverse her earlier announcement as the winner of the poll Hudu Yunusa-Ari.
Binani’s counsel, Mohammed Sheriff, upon resumed hearing in the matter, told Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja that a notice of discontinuance had been filed to that effect and urged the court to strike out the case.
Justice Ekwo reminded Sheriff that an order was given on the last adjourned date directing him to address the court on whether the court had the jurisdiction to entertain the case or not.
READ ALSO: Aisha Binani sues INEC, PDP for countering her declaration as Adamawa Governor-elect
The lawyer, who informed the court that a lot of issues had come up between the last date of adjournment and today, begged for an order striking out the suit.
However, the judge held that since Sheriff had failed to go by the order of the court, the appropriate thing to do was to dismiss the matter.
“I hereby make an order dismissing this suit,” Justice Ekwo declared.
Meanwhile, INEC has written an official letter to the Nigeria Police Force seeking an investigation into the alleged impropriety of the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, during the recently concluded supplementary elections, and possibly prosecute the REC for his actions.
