Court throws out suit by APC faction challenging candidates of Rivers LG poll

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Fubara Dagogo and eight other members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) faction led by Emeka Beke filed a lawsuit against the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), but it was dismissed by a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt.

The lawsuit contested the nominees for the state’s local government elections scheduled for August 30, 2025.

The plaintiffs had gone to court to challenge RSIEC’s rejection of the list of candidates that the Beke-led APC faction had presented.

Additionally, they aimed to remove the present council members who were nominated by the side led by Tony Okocha.

In his ruling on Wednesday, the presiding judge, Justice Stephen Jumbo, dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that it was statute-barred because it was neither filed within seven days nor decided within fourteen days as required by Regulation 10, Subsection 2 of the Emergency Powers Conduct Regulations.

Justice Jumbo further decided that the court lacked jurisdiction to consider the complaint because it was already statute-barred and a pre-election issue.

The court ordered each party to pay their own fees, even though no charges were imposed on any of the parties.

Following the decision, State Ministry of Justice counsel to RSIEC declined to comment.

James Allen-Umeni, the plaintiffs’ attorney, addressed reporters.

He said, “For us, in his opinion, he has given a considered ruling. We would after now apply for a copy of the ruling and study it and think of the next line of action.

“As law abiding citizens, we are bound by the law and if we are not in terms with the judgement or not, we are bound to follow legal proceedings in seeking redress.

“So, we will talk with the claimants and know the next line of action.”

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