The Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Kenneth Imansuangbon challenging the candidature of the Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate, Barr. Olumide Akpata, in the State’s governorship race.
The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, adding that the suit lacked merit and was based on speculation.
The court also held that Imansuangbon failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the Labour Party before seeking legal redress, hence his action robbed the Court of jurisdiction.
The Court further said that Imansuangbon’s claim of Akpata not signing the Indemnity Form was statute-barred and, therefore, it lacked jurisdiction to entertain such suit.
Justice Quadri of the Federal High Court declared the lawsuit was premature and without substantial evidence to support its claims.
The Court, therefore, upheld Olumide Akpata’s position as the Labour Party’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.