Buhari’s Eligibility: Court Fixes March 25 To Rule On Joinder Applications

The Federal High Court has ruled that all pending applications and the originating summons be taken together in the suit challenging the eligibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, in the forthcoming March 28 presidential election.

‎At the resumed hearing on the suit, ‎two other parties brought an application for joinder in the suit.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Mike Ozekhome, who replied on point of law, argued that the parties seeking to join are interlopers, as he canvases for accelerated hearing.

While counsel to the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, faulted Ozekhome’s position, he maintained that the mode of service on his client is faulty, stating that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

Counsel to Muhammadu Buhari , Mr Abubakar Malaki, also aligned with the position of the APC.

After listening to all parties, the presiding Judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, fixed the 25th of March to rule on the application for joinder.‎‎

The Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier reserved ruling till March 23 to decide whether it has jurisdiction to hear the suit filed by one Chukwuwike Okafor and Donald Daunamigba challenging the eligibility of retired General Muhammadu Buhari to contest the 2015 general elections.

At the resumed hearing of two suits filed by Chukwunweike Okafor and Donald Daunamigba, their lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) told the court that he had received a number of preliminary objections and applications for joiner in the suit.

He, however, asked the court for accelerated hearing in view of the fact that the general elections are barely a week away.