Appeal court disqualifies Ondo LP candidate two days to governorship poll

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has disqualified Olusola Ebiseni as the Labour Party candidate for the Ondo State governorship election set for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

In a unanimous decision, a three-member panel, with the lead judgment by Justice Hamma Barka and delivered by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, ruled that “the appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/1172/2024 brought by the Labour Party against Chief Olusola Ebiseni and two others “is allowed.”

Justice Banjoko also noted that a Certified True Copy of the judgment would be provided to the parties involved for their review.

Justice Abba Mohammed, in a supporting judgment, agreed with the panel’s decision.

Previously, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize Olusola Ebiseni and Ezekiel Awude as the Labour Party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the November 16 election.

Justice Nwite had upheld the Labour Party’s second primary, which nominated Ebiseni and Awude.

In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1105/2024, he noted evidence that Ebiseni had paid N20 million for the nomination form and N5 million to Festus Olorunfemi as compensation for his withdrawal from the race.

Justice Nwite ordered INEC to accept and publish the names of Ebiseni and Awude as the Labour Party’s candidates.

However, this ruling has now been overturned by the Court of Appeal.