The Supreme Court has suspended proceedings after taking arguments from parties on the application by the sacked Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha for a review of the court’s January 14, 2020 judgment, sacking him.
A seven-man panel of the court, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad announced, a moment ago, that the court will rise to return later for its decision.
An official of the court later returned to announce that the decision of the court on the application will be rendered today at 3pm.
Lawyer to Ihedioha and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kanu Agabi (SAN), while arguing his clients’ case, prayed the court to set aside its January 14 judgment and restore the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which the Supreme had voided.
The Appeal Court has declared Uzodinma’s petition at the Governorship Election Tribunal as incompetent and declared Ihedioha winner of the election held in Imo late last year.
Lawyer to Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who replaced Ihedioha as Imo State Governor, Damian Dodo (SAN) prayed the court to retain its judgment and refuse the request by Ihedioha.
Dodo argued that the court is not empowered under any known law to set aside its judgment as prayed by Ihedioha.
He argued that instances where the Supreme Court could correct its judgment are where there are identified typographical errors or slip, which do not reflect the intention of the court.
Dodo argued that the application by Ihedioha is an affront to the court’s dignity and creates the impression that the court was not thorough and did not think thorough its judgment before delivering it.
The courtroom was packed with lawyers and politicians, who are mostly members of both APC and the PDP.
Among notable faces are Chairmen of both parties, Adams Oshiomhole and Uche Secondus. Also sighted was former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri.
