Former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni suffered a major setback on Monday in his case challenging the eligibility of Governor Kayode Fayemi to contest the July 14 governorship election.
Justice Babatunde Quadri of the Federal High Court, Abuja withdrew on Monday from the hearing of the suit by Oni, querying Fayemi’s eligibility to participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary.
The judge, who had before now, asked parties whether it was not ideal to have the case decided by a Federal High Court in Ekiti, suddenly announced the transfer of the case on Monday.
Parties, who had expected the hearing of the case, arrived court in the morning. The court did not sit until afternoon.
When the court eventually sat, the judge said he would prefer to transfer the suit, marked: FCH/ABJ/CS/663/
The judge said he would not be able to hear and write judgment on the matter within the stipulated time.
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He assured parties that he would facilitate the transfer of the case filed by the court’s Registry to Ekiti State because of its urgent nature.
The judge adjourned the case to November 26 for mention before the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.
Oni is, by the suit, challenging the outcome of the primary election that produced Fayemi APC. Oni, who came second, wants to be made the winner.
He wants the court to, among others, disqualify Fayemi on the grounds that he allegedly did not resign his ministerial appointment as required by law before contesting in the primary.
Oni’s lawyers were said to have objected to the transfer of the case to Ekiti, citing security reason. But the judge overruled their objection insisting that peace had since returned to Ekiti after the election.
