The Supreme Court on Friday reversed the sack of Caleb Mutfwang as Governor of Plateau State by the Court of Appeal
The apex court on Friday in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim held that the appeal by the governor had merit.
The appeal court had in a unanimous decision in November ruled that Muftwang was not sponsored by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court held that Nentawe Yilwada of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 18 March 2023 governorship election and therefore upheld his appeal.
According to the result declared by INEC, Mutfwang scored 525,299 votes to beat Mr Yilwada polled 481,370 votes.
The Plateau Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier affirmed Muftwang’s victory prompting Mr Yilwada to file an appeal at the appeal court.
But in their judgment on Friday, the justices of the Supreme Court queried if the tribunal and the Court of Appeal can determine the validity of the nomination of a candidate.
“The legal profession should wake up, the justice says, adding that, for this reason, this appeal is allowed. The judgement of the Court of Appeal is set aside, inclusive of the orders made therein.
The judgement of the tribunal is restored. The election of the governor is further restored,” Justice Agim declares.
In his consenting opinion, Justice Okoro says: “My only worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of the Court of Appeal’s decision. It was absolutely wrong. The appeal is allowed.”
Justices Uwani Abba-Aji, and Helen Ogunwumiju also concur with the lead judgement.