The Supreme Court has rejected the applications by the All Progressives Congress and two others for a review of February 13, 2020 judgment in the Bayelsa State governorship dispute.
A seven-member panel of the court, led by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, dismissed the two application filed and argued for the applicants by Afe Babalola (SAN) and Wole Onanipekun (SAN), and held that the applications were without merit and amounted to abuse of court process.
Justice Amina Augie, who read the lead ruling, said the application was an attempt to make the court violate its rules and. provision of the Constitution which makes it the final court of the land.
Justice Augie said the applications, if granted has the capacity of belittling the dignity and status of the court and open a floodgate for such request in the future.
She expressed regret that senior lawyers in the country could be involved in the filing of such applications.
Justice Augie awarded N10milion cost for each of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents (the PDP, its governorship and deputy governorship in the last election) – Sen. Duoye Diri and. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo – to be paid personally by the applicant’s lawyers.
Afe Babalola (SAN) represented the 1st and 2nd applicants (Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo) while Wole Olanipekun (SAN) represented the APC.
The camp of the APC and its leaders were, however, left in shock at the decision of the Supreme Court to throw out its application for a review of its judgment.
The APC leaders wore long faces and their camp was quiet after the decision of the Supreme Court.
The sacked Deputy Governor-elect Degi Erimienyo, on whose account APC lost Bayelsa, was in court sitting close to the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.
The court premises erupted in wild jubilation shouting and dancing to mark the end of litigation which in the last two weeks has led to some tension in Bayelsa State.
The immediate past Governor of the State, Seriake Dickson, the incumbent governor, Diri, the state Chairman, PDP, Cleopas Moses and other PDP stalwarts were seen singing worship songs in Dickson’s Abuja residence.
Dickson led his loyalists and political godson, Diri, in most of the songs while Major Lance and Cleaopas concluded the emergency worship session in prayers.
They all knelt down for over 20 minutes singing and praying to thank God for the final pronouncement of the court and the PDP victory, which they described as a miracle.