By Oladipo Abiola
The Supreme Court on Monday, heard the appeals filed against the electoral victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25, 2023 election and the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on the outcome of the election.
Naija News recalls the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the keenly contested election. His victory was also affirmed by the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, as well as the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) are all challenging Tinubus victory in separate petitions at the Supreme Court.
The three appellants, want the Supreme Court to nullify Tinubus victory.
The apex court had communicated today, Monday, 23rd October 2023 as the date to hear the appeals and all roads lead to the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja where the hearing is being held.
The court session started about 9 a.m.
Naija News would be on the ground to bring you up-to-date information as events unfold from the Supreme Court.
12:26 pm: Supreme Court Adjourns
The Supreme Court has adjourned the appeals challenging the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the February 25 election.
The 7-member panel led by Justice John Okoro on Monday dismissed APMs petition and adjourned the matter of the PDP and LP after the arguments of lawyers of the respective parties.
11:44 am: Supreme Court reserves judgment in Peter Obis case against Tinubu.
11:32 am: Pro-Tinubu youths stage protest outside Supreme Court.
11:20am: The Supreme Court, on Monday, stated that there are conflicting letters from the Chicago State University (CSU) on the certificate of President Bola Tinubu.
Naija News reports that the Chairman of the seven-member panel of the apex court, Justice John Okoro, stated this during the hearing of the application of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, filed against the victory of President Bola Tinubu.
Justice Okoro said one of the letters is authenticating the Presidents certificate and another discrediting it.
11:17 am: The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has withdrawn the appeal filed at the Supreme Court, challenging the election victory of President Bola Tinubu. The apex court thereafter dismissed the appeal.
11:00am : The Supreme Court judges have commenced hearing of the appeal by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
10:50: Supreme Court reserves judgement in Atikus case against Tinubu.
9: 30am: Lead Justice of the Supreme Court Panel hearing the appeal filed by the PDP, Justice Inyang Okoro has told parties Judgment in the appeal will be reserved.
9:20 am: The Supreme Court has commenced hearing of the appeals filed against the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25, 2023 elections.
The Supreme Court hearing commenced with the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The seven-member panel of the apex court for Mondays hearing is led by Justice Inyang John Okoro.
8:46 am: Senior lawyers start arriving Supreme Court.
No Judge Withdrew From Panel
The Supreme Court has debunked reports claiming some of its judges withdrew themselves from the panel set to hear the appeals against President Bola Tinubus victory in the February 25, 2023 election.
However ahead of the court session, some platforms (not Naija News) claimed five of the seven-man panel of justices have withdrawn and refused to be on the panel due to an alleged crisis in the apex court.
Reacting, however, the Supreme Courts Director, Press and information, Dr. Festus Akande said there is no truth in such reports as all members of the panel are intact and ready to hear the petition on Monday (today).
