Court Imposes N40M Fine On Politician Seeking To Stop Inauguration

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Court of Appeal in Abuja has imposed a fine of N40 million on former presidential candidate Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru for filing a frivolous suit to halt the inauguration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29.

The appellate court ordered Owuru to pay a fine of N10 million each to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Tinubu, who were named as the first to fourth defendants in the case.

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Justice Jamil Tukur, who delivered the lead judgment on behalf of the three-man panel, ruled that Owuru had engaged in a gross abuse of the court process by filing a frivolous, vexatious, and irritating suit to provoke the respondents.

The Court of Appeal determined that Owuru’s grievances against the 2019 presidential election were not only unfounded but also unnecessary, as they had already been pursued to the Supreme Court and dismissed for lack of merit.

Justice Tukur highlighted that Owuru’s attempt to resurrect the case that had been concluded in 2019 was a deliberate act aimed at undermining the authority of the apex court and potentially causing a clash between lower courts and the Supreme Court.

The judgment emphasized the importance of respecting the finality of decisions made by the Supreme Court, which holds the highest judicial authority in the country. By attempting to reopen a case that had already been dismissed by the apex court, Owuru’s actions were deemed to be an abuse of the judicial process.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling serves as a strong deterrent against the filing of frivolous and vexatious lawsuits aimed at impeding the functioning of the judiciary. It upholds the principle that court processes should be used responsibly and with legitimate cause, discouraging individuals from pursuing baseless claims and wasting the court’s time.

The fine imposed on Owuru, totaling N40 million, reflects the court’s firm stance against such abuses. The monetary penalty is intended to deter similar actions in the future and to compensate the respondents for the time and resources expended in defending against a meritless lawsuit.

The judgment of the Court of Appeal sends a clear message that the judiciary will not tolerate the misuse of legal proceedings for personal or political gains.

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It reaffirms the importance of respecting the rule of law and the finality of judicial decisions, thereby preserving the integrity and independence of the Nigerian judicial system.

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