Supreme Court Grants Stay of Execution in Kogi Gubernatorial Dispute

By Iyojo Ameh

In a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over the Kogi State governorship election, the Supreme Court has intervened by granting a stay of execution for the orders issued by the Court of Appeal on March 1, 2024.

This decision comes after the Appeal Court in Abuja had overturned the ruling of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, prompting the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, and his party to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.

The SDP candidate and his legal team swiftly filed an appeal to the highest court, contesting the orders issued by the Court of Appeal.

Chief J.S. Okutepa SAN, leading the legal team alongside Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa SAN and other attorneys, presented a compelling argument to the Supreme Court, emphasizing the potential irreparable damages that the orders of the Court of Appeal could inflict upon the petitioners.

Following deliberations, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and granted a stay of execution, effectively halting the enforcement of the Court of Appeal’s orders. The decision provides a reprieve for Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka and the SDP, allowing them to proceed with their legal challenge without facing immediate adverse consequences.

The Supreme Court has set a date for the hearing of the motion on notice, scheduling it for March 11, 2024. This development underscores the ongoing legal complexities surrounding the Kogi gubernatorial dispute and highlights the pivotal role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes in Nigeria.