- Says application for review vexatious, frivolous
- Orders Afe Babalola, Olanipekun to pay N10m to each of the three respondents
By Alex Enumah in Abuja
The Supreme Court on Wednesday described the request by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to review its judgment voiding the participation of its candidate in the Bayelsa governorship election as vexatious, frivolous and an abuse of court process.
The court held that the suit filed on behalf of the APC, its sacked governor-elect and deputy governor-elect, Mr David Lyon and Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, lacked merit and accordingly dismissed it.
The apex court in the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Amina Augie, came down heavily on the counsel to the applicants for filing the motions which amounts to desecration of the judiciary.
“I feel like shedding tears that senior counsel in this case would ever bring this kind of frivolous applications during my life time”, Justice Augie said in an emotion laden voice.
She subsequently ordered the lawyers, Chief Afe Babalola SAN and Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, to pay the sum of N10 million to each of the three respondents as fine. The respondents are Gov Diri, his deputy and APC.
Justice Augie said the fine must be personally paid by the lawyers.
Details later….
