Rivers Wike Loses Appeal - The Supreme Court Says the Court of Appeal acted in line with the law in transferring the sitting of the tribunal to Abuja for security reasons.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a suit filed by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, challenging the authority of the state governorship election tribunal to sit in Abuja.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a suit filed by the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, challenging the authority of the state governorship election tribunal to sit in Abuja.
The Rivers and Akwa Ibom tribunals had relocated to Abuja, citing security concerns.
Mr. Wike challenged the decision. He also challenged the failure of the president of the Court of Appeal to consult the Rivers State Chief Judge and president of the Customary Court of Appeal before constituting the tribunal.
On Saturday, the tribunal sacked Mr. Wike, and ordered a rerun, saying the election that brought him to office was marred by irregularities.
Mr. Wike condemned the tribunal’s ruling saying the ruling was hasty as the Supreme Court was about to decide on the jurisdiction suit on Tuesday.
The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that president of the Court of Appeal had the powers to transfer the sitting of the tribunal to Abuja to safeguard the lives of the judges and their staff.
The Supreme Court also ruled that in view of the fact that Rivers State had no Chief Judge or Customary Court of Appeal, it would have been impossible for the president to have consulted them before the constitution of the tribunal.
The court unanimously held that based on the doctrine of necessity the President Court of Appeal acted in right.
