The Court of Appeal in Kano has taken a significant step in the case concerning the Labour Party (LP) candidates in Abia State. They have decided to suspend the judgment delivered by a Federal High Court, which had previously declared the primaries that produced Alex Otti and other LP candidates as invalid. This move by the Court of Appeal has introduced a temporary hold on the implementation of the Federal High Court's decision, pending the outcome of an appeal.
On Saturday, Justice Mbaba delivered this crucial decision, also granting Alex Otti's application to appeal as an interested party. This means that Otti will have the opportunity to present his case and arguments before the higher court, allowing for a fair and thorough examination of the matter.
The Court of Appeal's order was issued in response to a motion for leave filed by the Abia Governor-Elect. In this motion, he sought permission to appeal as an interested party against the judgment handed down by the Kano Division of the Federal High Court on May 18, 2023, in Suit No. FHC/KN/CS/107/2023. By granting this motion, the Appellate Court has recognized the importance of the Governor-Elect's involvement in the case and his right to present his perspective on the matter.
In addition to the suspension of the judgment, the Court of Appeal has also granted an order for stay and suspension of the judgment issued by Justice Yunusa J. of the lower court. This means that the effects and consequences of the Federal High Court's decision will be put on hold until the appeal process is complete.
The suspension will remain in effect until the appeal, for which leave has been granted, is heard and resolved. This indicates that the Court of Appeal is committed to conducting a comprehensive review of the case and reaching a fair and just resolution based on all the relevant arguments and evidence presented during the appeal proceedings.
