The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by James Faleke and four others, challenging the election of Yahaya Bello as Governor of Kogi state.
Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who read the lead judgment, held that the appeals lacked merit and were subsequently dismissed.
She added that the reason for the dismissal, would be given on Friday, the 30th of September.
The court room was filled to capacity with all interested parties duly represented in the court, anxiously waiting for the outcome of the Supreme Court judgement.
While taking their arguments, counsel to James Faleke, Wole Olanipekun, urged the court to allow his appeal.
He added that the election was not declared inconclusive due to the death of Audu, but because there were malpractices.
James Faleke
Olanipekun also urged the court to invoke Section 187 of the constitution, and to also hold that the election had been concluded as at the time Audu died.
He also wanted Faleke declared winner, having ran with Audu who had scored the highest number of votes.
Counsels to Inec and yahaya Bello, on the other hand,urged the court dismiss the appeal on the ground that noone can claim to be the winner since form EC8A, had not been issued to anyone.
They added that Faleke’s matter, was a pre-election matter, as his result, had not been announced.
They added that he cannot lay claims to the Governorship seat, as its only INEC that can declare the winner of an election.
After the short judgment, the counsel to the governor and INEC, hailed the judgement.
Everyone is anxiously waiting for the reasons why the appeal was dismissed by the Apex Court.
