ABSTRACT
Today,
there is no doubt that election petition forms an intrinsic part of our
democratic setting. This is because disputes and dissatisfaction are bound to
arise from the conduct of elections and such disputes have to be resolved and
determined by competent judicial bodies in order to maintain the interest of
law and order in the country. In order to achieve this, the constitution has
created Special adjudicatory bodies, known as the Tribunals. These include the
National Assembly Election Tribunal, Governorship and Legislative House
Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal with exclusive jurisdiction on
matters pertaining to the presidential election.
In Nigeria, irregular conducts
from Governorship election are always challenged in the Tribunal by adverse
parties. By challenging such irregularities, the result of the election may be
reversed or upheld by the Tribunal. This paper therefore discusses the
judgments of the Governorship election petition Tribunals in Nigeria. In the
course of this discussion, references will be made to such states as: Ekiti, Ondo,
Edo, Sokoto, Rivers, Osun and Anambra States. This paper will also discuss the
jurisdiction of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Nigeria. In
writing this paper, much reliance was placed on the Election Act- both the 2006
edition and the Election Act as amended in 2010 as well as the decisions of Tribunals
and court of the Appeal on election issues in Nigeria.
A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE JUDGMENTS OF
THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL IN NIGERIA
A LONG ESSAY SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF
LAW,
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF LAW (LL.B) DEGREE OF FACULTY OF LAW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page……………………………………………………………….. i
Certification……………………………………………………………. ii
Dedication……………………………………………………………… iii
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………… iv
Table of contents……………………………………………………… .vi
Tables of cases…………………………………………………………. viii
Tables of statues……………………………………………………….. xiv
Abbreviation…………………………………………………………… xvi
Abstract……………………………………………………………….. xvii
CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study………………………………………. 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem………………………………………. 6
1.3 Research Questions…………………………………………….. 7
1.4 Objectives of the Study…………………………………………. 8
1.5 Research Methodology…………………………………………. 9
1.6 The Significance of the Study………………………………….. 10
1.7 The Scope of the Study…………………………………………. 11
1.8 The Limitations of the Study……………………………………. 11
CHAPTER TWO
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS, ORIGIN AND ESTABLISHMENT OF
TRIBUNALS IN NIGERIA
2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………… 13
2.2 Definition of Terms……………………………………………… 13
2.2.1 Election ……….…………………………………………………. 13
2.2.2 Tribunal………………………………………………………….. 16
2.2.3 Election Petition………………………………………………… 18
2.2.4 Judgment………………………………………………………… 20
2.3 Origin of Tribunal in Nigeria……………………………………. 21
2.4 Establishment of Tribunal in Nigeria…………………………….. 23
CHAPTER THREE
JURISDICTION OF GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITION
TRIBUNALS IN NIGERIA
3.1 Introduction………………………………………………………. 27
3.2 Establishment / constitutive Jurisdiction………………………… 31
3.3 Subject matter Jurisdiction………………………………………. 41
3.4 Parties Jurisdiction……………………………………………….. 46
CHAPTER FOUR
ASSESSMENT OF THE JUDGMENTS OF THE GOVERNORSHIP
ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNALS
4.1 Introduction………………………………………………………… 53
4.2 Ekiti State…………………………………………………………… 54
4.3 Ondo State …………………………………………………… 62
4.4 Edo State ……………………………………………………… 72
4.5 Sokoto State………………………………………………………… 83
4.6 Rivers State………………………………………. 92
4.7 Osun State………………………………………………………….. 101
4.8 Anambra State……………………………………………………… 108
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION
5.1 Observations………………………………………………………. 117
5.2 Recommendations………………………………………………… 119
5.3 Conclusion………………………………………………………… 121
Bibliography………………………………………………………. 124
TABLE OF CASES
1. Abbo v. Mbukurla (1999) 5 NWLR (pt.
663) 393 at 997………. 59
2. Action
congress v. Kaigama (2008) 8 NWLR (pt.
1088) 165 at
180 para B-D. …………………………………………………….. 29
3. Adefemi v. Abegunde (2004) 15 NWLR (pt. 895) p. 470 para
E-F… 70
4. Adeyemi
Bellow v. Babatunde Omotosito & 3 ors (2008) 15 NWLR
(pt.
IIII) page 567………………………………………………….. 36
5. Afoyebi v. Gov. of Oyo State (1999) 5 NWLR (pt. 344) p. 290
……. 70
6. African
Newspaper v. F.R.N. (1985)2 NWLR (pt.6) p. 137…… 46
7. Agagu v. Dawoditt (1990) 7 NWLR (pt. 160) pg. 56…………… 105
8. Agagu
v. Mimko (2009)7 NWLR (Pt. 1140) 343 at
390
para B-D…………………………………………………………63,30,38
9. Agbaje v. Adugun (1993) I NWLR (pt. 269) p. 261……………. 104
10. Ajadi
v. Ajibola (2004) 16 NWLR (pt. 898) 91 at 95………….. .59
11. Aleigbe & Anor v. Kosimu & Ors v Kosimu & ors.
(1965)All
NLR p. 26 ……………………………………………… 113
12. Aliance
for Democracy v. INEC & 3 ors (2004) EPR 288 page
304
pars. C-E…………………………………………………….. 36
13. Ambare
v. Sylva (2005) 13 NWLR (Pt. 942) 319 at
438…. 25
14. Amechi
v. INEC (2007) 18 NWLR (pt. 1065) p. 42………47,79,92,96
15. Anambra
state v. Nwankwo (1999) 5 NWLR (pt. 601) p. 134…… 45
16. Anatogu v. Iweka (1995) 8 NWLR (pt. 547)………………….. 105
17. ANPP v. INEc (2004) 7 NWLR (pt. 871) page 31…………….. 92
18 Attorney General of
Oyo State v. Farlakes Hotels Ltd (1985) 5 NWLR
(pt.
121) 255 at 290…………………………………………….. 89
19 Attorney
General of Federation v. All Nigerian
Peoples Party
(2003)
15 NWLR (pt. 544) 600…………………………………. 14
20 Awolowo v. Shagari (1979) 12 NSCC page
87……………..……… 5
21 Basheer
v. Same (1992) 4 NWLR (pt. 236)……………………….. 60
22. Bella v. Governor of Kogi State (1997) p NWLR (pt. 521)
pg
492…………………………………………………………….. 104
23. Bichi
v. Shekaran (2009) 7 NWLR (pt. 140) 342 at 297 paras G-H. 39
24. Bob v.
Akpan (2008) 7 NWLR (pt. 1087) page 449…………… 44
25. Bokola
Adebusuyi v. Babatunde of Uligoye & ors (2004) 1
NWLR (pt. 920) p. 140………………………………………… 47
26. Buhari
v. INEC (2008) 17 NWLR (pt. 1120) 246 at 351 paras F-G. 37
27. Buhari v. Obasanjo (2005) 2 NWLR (pt. (pt. 910) 241
at
369-370………………………………………………………..60,116
28. Chief
Suleman M. Ajadi v. Simeon Sule Ajiho & ors (2004) 16
NWLR
(pt. 898), 91 at p. 158-159…………………………………. 40
29 Chris Ngige v. Peter Obi (2010) 6 EPR page 1…………….……..108
30. Dingyadi v. Wamako (2010) 6 EPR, 287……………………….. 84
31. Dusemo v. COP (1998) II NWLR (pt. 575) p. 547……………112
32. Effiong v. Ikpene (1999) 6 NWLR (pt. 606) p. 260-277………. 67
33. Ehianwo v. Oke (2008) 16 NWLR (pt. 1113) p. 521 para,
B-G… 99
34. Ejiogu v. Irona(2008) LPER-CA/PH/EPT/400/2007 (CON)…
106
35. Emeka
O. Emesir v. Calista Nwachukwu & Ors (1999)
3 NWLR(pt. 596) 590 at 604 …………………………………..33
36. Emimiken
v. Sylva (2008) 8 NWLR (pt.1088) 207 at 222
para B-C…………………………………………………………. 46
37. Ezuhimer
Ohieri & Anor v. Adamu Akabeze & Ors (1992)
2 SCNJ(pt. 1) p.g 76…………………………………………… 88
38. Francis Esagbe v. Friday Agblor & Anor (1993) 13 SNJ
p.g
82-91 ……………………………………………………. 88
39. Furkaki
v. Dalhatus (2001) FLOWR (Pt. 55) Pg
501………… 28
40. General Muhammend Buhari v. INEC and 2
ors (2006)
36 NSCQR 475 at p. 698 para B.C…………………………..
1
41. Harastrup
Adewale Olatunyi v. Tayo Akaarde & ors(2006)
2 EPR 962 at p. 971-972………………………………………. 41
42. Harrunna
v. Modipo (2004) 6 NWLR (pt. 900) p. 487………..58,60
43. Hashim v. Minister F.C.T. (2002) 15 NWLR (pt. 789)p.
159…… 82
44. Ibaku
v. Ebim (2010) 17 NWLR (pt. 1222) 286 at 315 para. C-E… 51
45. Ibrahim v. J.S.C (1998) I NWLR (pt. 584) pg. 1…………………. 70
46. Ibrahim v. Sherift (2004) 14 NWLR (pt. 892) page
43;………….. 76
47. Idris v.
ANPP (2008) 19 NWLR (Pt. 1120) P. 246……….. 47,23
48. Ikharaide
v. Okoh (2009) 12 NWLR (pt. 1154) p. 31 para. E-F… 50
49. INEC v. Action congress (2009) 2 NWLR (pt. 1126) page
542….. 66
50. INEC v.
Onyimbah (2004) 14 NWLR (pt. 892) 92 at p. 123……… 48
51. Jang v. Dariye (2003) 15 NWLR (pt. 843) page 430………….. … 92
52. Kabo
Air Ltd v. INCO Beverages ltd (2003) FWLR (pt.136) pg. 9441(200) 6 NWLR (pt.
816) pg. ……………………………..
107
53 Kossen (Nig.) Ltd. V. Savannah Bank (1995) 12 SCNJ pg
29… 67
54 L.P.D.C v. Fawehinmi (1985) 2 NWLR (p7)
pg. 300…………… 17
56 Labour
party v. INEC (2009) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1137) 31 at p. ……. 332
57 Madubuike v. Madubuike (2000) FWLR NWLR (pt.30) p. 2611. 82
58 Madukolu
v. Nkemdilim (1962) 2 SCNLR 341 ……………….29,42
59 Milad of Benue State v. Ulegede (20010 17 NWLR (pt. 174) pg 71…
91
60 Mohammed
Buhari v. Obasanjo & Ors (2005) 2 NWLR
(pt. 910) 1 at p. 726 paras.
C-E………………………………….. 50
61 Mustapha
v. governor of Lagos State (1987) 2 NWLR (pt.58)
p. 539……………………………………………………………. 52
62. NDIC v.
CBN & Anor (2009) 9 NSCOR 430 at 443……. 33
63. Ngige
v. obi (2006) 14 NWLR (pt.999) p.l……………… 39
64. NPA v. Eyamba (2005) 12 NWLR (pt. 939) p. 409……… 112
65. Nwankwo
v. Atta (1995) 9 NWLR (pt. 418). P. 245……. 45
66. Nwankwo
v. Yar’ Adua (2010) 12 NWLR (pt. 1209) 419
at para H……………………………………………………. 51
67. Nweke v. Ejims (1999) ll NWLR (pt. 625) 39 at 53…… 60
68. Nwodo v. Onoh (1984) I.S.C. pg
1……………………….. 5,114
69. Obasanjo
v. Yusiff & Anor (2004) 9 NWLR (pt.877), 144
at
pg. 180 para C-F…………………………………………..
33,37,50
70. Obi v. INEC (2007) II NWLR (pt. 1046) page 635………….. 100
71. Odedo v. INEC (2008) 17 NWLR (pt. 1117) 554 at 601,
paras.
D-G……………………………………………………. 99
72. Ogbiniya v. Okudu (1979) 6-9 Sc. 32 page 473, paras. E-H….. 105
73. Ogbommu v. A.G of Imo State (1992) NWLR (pt. 647)…….. 67
74. Ogboru
v. Ibori (2003) NWLR (Pt. 942) 319 at
438 – 439
paras A-D……………………………………………………… 31
75 Ojukwu
v. Obasanjo (2006) EPR 212 p. 292……………… 16,48
76 Ojukwu
v. Yar’ Adua (2009) 12 NWLR (pt. 1154) 50 at
173- 174,para D-H……………………………………………. 43
77. Okonkwo
v. INEC (2006) 2 EPR at 149……………..
….. 47,30
78. Omoworare
v. Omisore (2010) 3 NWLR (pt. 1180) 58 at
109-110 paras B-F…………………………………………….
37
79. Oni V. Fayemi (2008) 8 NWLR……………………………..
112
80. Onwe v. Oke (2001) 3
NWLR (pt.700) 406 referred to (p. 465)
paras C-E……………………………………………………..
108
81. Orji v.
Ugochukwu (2009) 14 NWLR (pt. 1161)…………….. 52
82 Osita
v. Musa yar-Adua & 34 ors (2008)…………………….. 33
83. Osunbor v. Oshimhole (2009) All FWLR (pr. 463) pg. 1263, C.A.. 73
84. Ovuechwulise v. Animashuim (1996) 3 NWLR (pt. 439( pg.
632…. 67
85. Ozigbo
v. PDP (2010) 9 NWLR (Pt. 1200) 600 at
647 para B-C….. 29
86. PDP v.
Onwe (2011) 3 NWLR (pt. 1236) 166 at 176 paras. C-E…44.118
87. PDP v. INEC (1999) II NWLR (Pt. 626) P. 200……………... 24
88 Rauf Aregbesola v. Olagunsoye Oyinlola (2008) NWLR………. 101
89 Sadipo v. Lemmin Kaimen No. 1 (1985) 2
NWLR (t.8)p.547….. 21
90 Sarulawa
v. kabir (2011) 2 NWLR (pt. 1232) 417 at 440 para D…44,46,91
100 Swem v.
ozunge (1996) I SCNLR III AT 119……………………… 60
101 Temile v. Awani (2001) NWLR (pt. 728) page 726……………….. 116
102 Thute v.
INEC (1999) 4 NWLR (pt. 599( p. 360…………………..
59
103 Tukur v. Governor of Gongola State (1989) 4
NWLR
(pt.117) P. 517……………………………………………....... 112
104. Uba v. Efiaba (2008) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1082)155 at
182-183
paras A-G……………………………………………………. 27,46
105. UBA v. Enemuo (2006 All FWLR pt. 311…………………….. 91
106. Ucha v. Onwe (2011) 4 NWLR (pt. 1237) 386 at 424, para F…. 99
106. Uche v.
Onwe (2011) 4 NWLR (pt. 1237) 386 at 428 para F-G… 44
107. Ugochilkwa
Agballah v. Chinaroke Nnamani & ors (2006)2
EPR 57 at
786…………………………………………………… 40
108. Ugwu v. Araume (2007) 12 NWLR (t. 1018)p. 365………….. 97
110. Ukpo v. Aded (2001) FWLR (pt. 77) pg. 85………………….. 92
111. Yusf v. Obasanjo (2005) 10
NWLR (pt. 956)
pg.
421-422 para……………………………………………… 69
112. Zumit v. Mohmoud (1993) 1 NWLR (pt. 267) p. 71…………… 91
TABLE STATUTES
1. The
1999 Constitution (as amended)
SS. 15-18, 16(2) …………………………………….. 3
S. 285………………………………………………….. 4
S. 318………………………………………………….. 15
S. 36(1)(4)……………………………………………… 17
S.S 239(1) (2),
237(1)………………………………….. 33
S. 233(1) (2) (e) (i) ……………………………………... 35
S. 246(3)……………………………………………….. 36
Sixth Schedule item 1(1)
(3)…………………………… 38
Sixth Schedule, items 2(2) (3), S
285(4)………………. 40
S 6 (1)………………………………………………….. 41
S.S 285(1), 239(1)
(a)………………………………….. 42
S. 246 (1) (b)…………………………………………… 64
S. 177 (1) (1) – (d)
…………………………………….. 89
S. 3(1), First Schedule, part
I………………………….. 93
S. 182(g) &
(h)………………………………………….. 100
S. 285(4) & Paragraph 2(1) of
the sixth schedule………. 113
2. ELECTORAL
ACT 2010
SS. 140(4), 145(1), 140 (3)…………………………. 16,103,104
S. 133 (1)……………………………………………. 18
Par. 4(1) of the 1st
schedule…………………………. 19
S. 138(1) (a) (b) (d)………………………………… 4389,61
S. 137(1)………………………………………………. 47
S. 137(1)………………………………………………. 48
S. 156………………………………………………….. 48
SS. 25,26,31,36,34…………………………………….. 49
S. 140…………………………………………………..
55,72
S. 139…………………………………………………..
59,61
SS. 18, 45, 49………………………………………….. 64
Para 53 (2) (5)…………………………………………. 65
Para 4(1)(c) 1st schedule……………………………….. 78
SS. 33,35,38……………………………………………. 85,97
S. 32……………………………………………………. 90
S. 38, 41………………………………………………… 90
S. 31(5)…………………………………………………. 95
S. 31(4) (5)……………………………………………… 99
SS. 63 & 140 (3)………………………………………… 103
S. 102……………………………………………………. 104
3. ELECTORAL
ACT 2006
S. 144…………………………………………………….. 80,47
S. 147…………………………………………………….. 55,72
SS. 19,46,50……………………………………………… 64,61
Para 49(2)(5)…………………………………………….. 65
SS. 34,36,38………………………………………………. 85,97
SS. 60: 136(1) &
(2)……………………………………… 109
S. 145……………………………………………………… 90
TABLE OF ABBREVIATIONS
ACN - Action Congress of Nigeria
A.G - Attorney-General
ANPP - All
Nigeria People party
APGA - All
Progressive Grand Alliance
BLD - Black Law Dictionary
CBN - Central Bank of Nigeria
COP - Commissioner of Police
CTC - Certified time Copy
CJN - Chief Justice of Nigeria
EBSU - Ebonyi
State University
FCT. - Federal Capital Territory
FWLR - federation
Weekly Law Report
Ibid - Ibidem
INEC - Independent
National Electoral Commission
JCA - Justice of Court of Appeal
JSC - Justice of Supreme Court
LGA - Local Government Area
LPDC - Legal
practitioners Disciplinary Committee
NSCC - Nigerian
Supreme Court
NSCUR - Nigerian
Supreme Court Quarterly Report
NWLR - Nigerian
Weekly Law Report
P.D.P - Peoples
Democratic Party
SAB - Senior Advocate of Nigeria
SC - Supreme Court
SCNY - Supreme
Court of Nigeria Judgment
SCNLR - Supreme
Court of Nigeria Law Report
USA - United State of America
WWW - World
Wide Web
A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE JUDGMENTS OF
THE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL IN NIGERIA
A LONG ESSAY SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF
LAW,
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF LAW (LL.B) DEGREE OF FACULTY OF LAW