A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has dismissed a suit filed by the Africa Democratic Congress aspirant for Rivers State House of Assembly Constituency One in Khana Local Government Area, Legborsi Nwiabu.
The presiding judge, Justice Muhammed Turaki, dismissed the suit after counsel to the plaintiff, Felix Beragbara, informed the court of his client’s decision to discontinue the case against the ADC, its candidate, Bright Nulee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Beragbara orally applied to withdraw the suit following an intervention by the ADC Peace and Reconciliation Committee in Rivers State. The application was not opposed by the defendants’ counsel, although INEC’s counsel requested costs.
The development followed an earlier court session where counsel to the ADC, Emenike Ebete, informed the court that a committee had been constituted to resolve issues arising from the party’s primaries. The court subsequently granted the parties leave to pursue an out of court settlement.
In his ruling, Justice Muhammed Turaki, one of the vacation judges, granted the plaintiff’s request and dismissed the suit. The court also awarded fifty thousand naira in costs in favour of INEC.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, counsel to the plaintiff, Felix Beragbara, said his client’s decision was motivated by his commitment to the overall interest of the party rather than personal interest.
Counsel to the ADC, the second respondent and INEC declined to comment on the proceedings.
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