Caleb Mutfwang’s removal from office as Plateau State governor by the Court of Appeal was overturned by the Supreme Court on Friday.
In a unanimous decision on Friday, Justice Emmanuel Agim of the Supreme Court determined that the governor’s appeal was well-founded.
In a unanimous ruling in November, the appeals court determined that Muftwang was not supported by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), his party.
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The court affirmed Nentawe Yilwada’s appeal, ruling that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor on March 18, 2023, had won.
Mutfwang defeated Mr. Yilwada, who received 481,370 votes, with 525,299 votes, according to the INEC-announced results.
The Plateau Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier validated Muftwang’s victory prompting Mr Yilwada to launch an appeal before the appeal court.
However, the Supreme Court’s judges questioned whether the tribunal and the Court of Appeal have the authority to decide whether a candidate’s candidacy is legitimate in their ruling on Friday.
The judge remarks, “The legal profession needs to wake up. For this reason, this appeal is granted. The Court of Appeal’s decision is overturned, along with all of its directives.
The tribunal’s decision is upheld. Justice Agim proclaims, “The governor’s election is further restored.”
“My only worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of the Court of Appeal’s decision,” Justice Okoro states in his concurring opinion. It was utterly incorrect. The appeal is accepted.
Judges Helen Ogunwumiju and Uwani Abba-Aji likewise agree with the primary decision.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case is final.