Federal High Court in Benin has dismissed Kenneth Imansuangbon’s lawsuit challenging the Labour Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate, Barr Olumide Akpata, for the Edo State governorship race. The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, adding that it lacked merit and was based on speculation.
The court also claimed that Imansuangbon failed to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms within the LP before seeking legal action, robbing the court of jurisdiction.
The court further said that Imansuangbon’s claim that Akpata did not sign the Indemnity Form is statute-barred and, therefore, lacked Jurisdiction.
Justice Quadri of the federal high court declared the lawsuit premature and without substantial evidence to support its claims.
The ruling upholds Olumide Akpata’s position as the LP’s gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming Edo State election.