A federal high court in Makurdi, Benue state capital, has upheld James Mede, as the flag bearer of the governorship flagbearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Benue state.
The Court struck out a suit filed by the defeated governorship aspirant on the platform of the SDP, Dr Jeffrey Kuraun, challenging the emergence of Mede.
In suit number FHC/MKD/CS/131/22, which has been described as statute-barred, Dr Jeffrey Kuraun declared his intention to appeal against the judgement with immediate effect.
On October 18, 2022, Dr Kuraun initiated the action, challenging the candidature of James Mede, as the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Benue State.
The Presiding Judge of the Court, Justice Abdul Dogo, in delivering the judgement, said the suit is statute-barred, as it was filled outside the 14 days stipulated by law.
According to the presiding Judge, the plaintiff’s cause of action is the alleged submission of the name of Mr Mede to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Social Democratic Party as its Governorship candidate in Benue state for the 2023 general election.
Justice Dogo noted that although the exact date for the submission of Mede’s name is not disclosed, it is obvious that the submission was before the publication of names. He, therefore, held that the plaintiff’s cause of action arose before October 4, 2022, when INEC published the final list of candidates for the 2023 general election.
“The instant suit was filed on 18th October. The suit was filed outside the 14 days stipulated by law”.
The Judge stated that “I find and hold that the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the suit because same is statute barred.”
He consequently declined jurisdiction, in agreement with Mede’s lawyers and struck the same out.
