The Supreme Court has adjourned indefinitely its judgement in the contentious legal battle over the governorship of Edo State, throwing the political atmosphere in the state into fresh uncertainty.
The adjournment was pronounced on Wednesday by Justice Garba Lawal, who presided over the hearing of the appeal filed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Garba Lawal stated that the date for the delivery of judgment would be announced to the parties at a later time.
In his appeal, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, through his counsel Ken Mosia, SAN, urged the Supreme Court to sack Obekpolo and declare him the rightful winner of the governorship election.
He maintained that he polled the majority of lawful votes during the election.
But the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), represented by Kanu Agabi, SAN, urged the apex court to reject the appeal in its entirety.
Agabi argued that Ighodalo and the PDP had, in their petition, stigmatised the election as invalid and unlawful on the ground of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
The electoral body said that having declared the election as unlawful and illegal, Ighodalo and the PDP could not turn around and pray the court to declare them as winners of th e same poll.
INEC accused Ighodalo and the PDP of being inconsistent in their grievances against the election and pleaded that their case be dismissed for want of merit.
Meanwhile, in June, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State, Dr. Samson Osagie, firmly denied allegations of judicial interference related to the ongoing governorship election appeal at the Supreme Court.
Speaking during the June monthly meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, held at the Bar House in Benin City, Dr. Osagie addressed recent claims suggesting he met with a Supreme Court Justice to influence the outcome of the election litigation.
Describing the allegations as baseless, Osagie emphasised the importance of integrity within the legal profession and cautioned against the misuse of social media by legal practitioners.