The Federal High Court in Benin City has dismissed a suit against Labour Party [LP] gubernatorial candidate, Olumide Akpata.
The Court dismissed the suit filed by Kenneth Imansuangbon challenging the candidature of Olumide Akpata for the Edo State governorship race on the grounds that it [the court] lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
In addition, the court reportedly said the suit lacked merit and was based on speculation.
The court found that Imansuangbon failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the Labour Party before seeking legal action.
The Court thus stated that this robbed it [the Court] of jurisdiction.
The Court further said that Imansuangbon’s claim of Akpata not signing the Indemnity Form was statute-barred and therefore the Court lacked jurisdiction.
Justice Quadri declared the lawsuit premature and without substantial evidence to support its claims.
The ruling has upheld Olumide Akpata’s position as the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming Edo State election.
