Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja, has dismissed a suit by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shuaibu and others seeking to void Asue Ighodalo’s nomination as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
In a judgement, Justice Omotosho, held that the suit, which challenged Mr Ighodalo’s qualification on the grounds that he allegedly forged his voter’s card, was statute barred.
Justice Omotosho held that the suit, being a Pre-election case, was filed outside the 14 days allowed under Section 285(9) of the Constitution.
The judge also held that even though forgery or non possession of voter’s card was a disqualifying factor under Section 182 of the Constitution, the plaintiff failed to prove that Ighodalo forged his voter’s card as alleged by the plaintiffs.
The judge dismissed the case for lacking in merit.