As tension continues to grow in Imo State and expectations heighten in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and beyond, the Supreme Court has adjourned to tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3, for the hearing of the application of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a review of the judgment that sacked Emeka Ihedioha as governor and installed Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Uzodinma came a distant fourth position in the election.
When the case was called on Monday, Ihedioha’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), said the 1st and 2nd respondents – Hope Uzodinma and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) – just served them some documents before the court sat.
Agabi prayed the court for time to enable him respond. He suggested that the court allow them to return on Tuesday for hearing.
Lawyer to Uzodinma and the APC, Damian Dodo (SAN) admitted serving Agabi a moment before the court sat.
Dodo said Agabi served some documents on his office on Friday, and that Monday morning was the earliest time he could serve his response on him (Agabi).
He however indicated his readiness for the case to be heard on Monday and objected to an adjournment.
Lawyer to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tanimu Inuwa (SAN), objected to an adjournment and said he was ready for the hearing of the case on Monday.
Ruling, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, who led the court’s seven-man panel, acceded to Agabi’s request and adjourned till March 3, 2020 for hearing.
The case, earlier scheduled for hearing on February 18, 2020 was also adjourned till March 2, 2020 on the request by Agabi because the parties were yet to file necessary documents.