23rd June, 2017
The Supreme Court has ordered the Senator representing Taraba North Senatorial District, Sani Abubakar Danladi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to vacate the seat immediately and refund all salaries and allowances he received within 90 days.
The presiding Justice, Justice Amina Augei in the judgement also declared Mr Shuaibu Lau, as the Senator representing Taraba North.
The order was contained in the judgment of the court on the appeal filed by Shuaibu Lau challenging the decision of the court of appeal that had upturned his victory during the primary that he was wrongfully substituted.
The Apex court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to issue a fresh certificate to of return to Lau.
The apex court in the unanimous decision of a five member panel held that the “the appellant has the right to participate just like any other candidate in the primary and of he feels his right was infringed upon, as he has the right to approach the court.
“And His substitution at the primary election is null and void since the appellant scored the highest number of votes, the only option is to declare the appellant as the winner of primary,” the court stated.