The Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday adjourned continuation of hearing till November 21 on the suit challenging the eligibility of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi to contest in the November 16 governorship election.
Justice Inyang Ekwo said the decision was to afford Bello, who sought to be joined in the matter, a fair hearing.
[ads]
Ekwo said all preliminary objections in the suit would be taken in the adjourned date and any party absent on the day would be deemed to have adopted them.
Bello had, through his lawyer, Mike Enahoro, filed a motion to be joined in the case on Friday.
Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Natasha Akpoti, filed the suit, seeking the court’s determination on the eligibility of Bello in the Saturday election, having been allegedly involved in double registration as a voter.
Her counsel, Mike Ozekhome, who acknowledged receipt of the motion Friday morning, hinted that the motion sought to stop court’s proceeding on the matter.
He, however, argued that the motion be thrown out considering that the election is Saturday.
[ads]
On his part, counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulwahab Mohammed, said he would need more time to study the motion.
However, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Alhassan Umar, said he had no objection to the motion.
