Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of Federal High Court 1, Abeokuta, has dismissed a suit instituted by a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Mr. Biyi Otegbeye, challenging the emergence of the governor of Ogun State, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, as the party’s standard bearer for the 2023 elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC were joined as first and second defendants in the case.
The matter came up on August 24, 2022 for hearing of the preliminary objections and the originating summons.
The plaintiff was represented by Mr. Wale Taiwo and Professor Yemi Oke while the first defendant was represented by Mr. Damilola Akinduro.
Messrs Kehinde Ogunwumiju and Tunde Adejumo represented the second defendant while Prof Taiwo Osipitan represented the governor.
When the matter was called, counsel for the plaintiff informed the court that they had filed a motion for discontinuance of the suit as the applicant, Otegbeye, intended to pursue his remedy elsewhere.
Responding, Ogunwumiju told the court that the defendants were not opposed to the motion for discontinuance of the suit.
However, he urged the court to dismiss the suit and award cost to the defendants rather than striking out the matter.
The court agreed with the counsel and consequently dismissed the suit and awarded N100, 000 as cost against the litigant.
