Imo: Court rejects Ararume’s suit challenging INEC’s recognition of Ndubueze

Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a judgement, held that the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the case, as a similar suit had been determined by a court of coordinate jurisdiction. The post Imo: Court rejects Ararume’s suit challenging INEC’s recognition of Ndubueze appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria. The Federal High Court in Abuja struck out a suit filed by Sen.

Ifeanyi Araraume challenging the recognition of Sen. Patrick Ndubueze as the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate for 2027 Imo North Senatorial District election. Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a judgment, held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate on the case, as a similar suit had been determined by a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

Justice Ibrahim, who upheld the preliminary objection filed by Ndubueze, described the suit as “an abuse of court process.” Although the judgment was delivered on Aug. 26, its certified true copy was sighted on Friday by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Ararume, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1569/2026, sued APC, Ndubueze and INEC over dispute on the valid candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District.

The former lawmaker sought an order directing INEC to recognise and publish his name as the APC’s candidate for the Imo North Senatorial District for the 2027 general elections. He also sought an injunction, restraining Ndubueze from parading himself as the party’s candidate for the seat. In addition, Araraume’s counsel, George Ibrahim, SAN, prayed the court to set aside the purported uploading of Ndubueze’s name by INEC on its portal on July 11 as the APC’s candidate for the district.

He equally sought an order directing INEC to instead upload his own name as the party’s candidate for the 2027 polls. His originating summons was brought pursuant to Section 6(6)(a) and (b) of the 1999 Constitution, Sections 84(1) and 88(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, and Articles 20(ii)(a) and (iii) of the APC Constitution. But APC and Ndubueze disagreed with Ararume’s arguments.

Ndubueze, in his preliminary objection filed by his counsel, Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, prayed the court to dismiss the suit for being grossly an abuse of the court process. Alternatively, he sought an order striking out the suit for want of jurisdiction.