Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
A Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, has adjourned the case between Bashir Sheriff Machina and Senate President Ahmad Lawan until September 12, 2022.
Lawan and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the defendants in the suit, had filed a preliminary objection questioning the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
The presiding judge, Justice Fadimatu Murtala Aminu, deferred ruling on the matter after counsel for the parties requested time to submit their responses to the originating summons and the claimants’ preliminary objections.
“We are here before the Federal High Court in Damaturu in relation to a case filed by Bashir Shariff Machina against the APC and Ahmad Lawan for the Yobe North senatorial ticket,” said Machina’s counsel, Ibrahim Bawa (SAN), outside the court.
“The topic came up today. The defendants have not filed their processes, with the exception of preliminary objection notices. We received the notices this morning.
“In response to the originating process, the court has given them time to file counter-affidavits.” As a result, the case could not be moved forward because they were not yet prepared. We are expected to submit our responses as soon as they do.
“The matter is thus adjourned until September 12, 2022, at which time all processes and responses will have been received and, by the grace of God, the matter will proceed for hearing.”
On the substantive issue before the court, Bawa stated that Machina had asked the court to prevent the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from sending the name of Lawan, whom he claimed did not participate in the primary election.
“In our originating summons, we request that the court rule that the APC is not permitted to send the name of Ahmad Lawan, who did not vote in the APC’s primary election for Yobe North Senatorial District.” “We are requesting that the court order the APC to send the name of…Machina, and INEC to accept and fill him as the party’s candidate for the Yobe North Senatorial District,” Bawa added.
When reporters pressed Lawan’s counsel, he refused to comment.
