JUST IN: Imo North Bye-Election: Supreme Court Dismisses Senator Ararume’s Appeal Against Ibezim

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume against Chukwuma Frank Ibezim regarding his claim of being the valid candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the Imo North bye-election which the party won on December 5, 2020.

The Apex court’s judgement, which was read on Friday by Justice Tijani Abubakar , upheld the verdict of the Appeal Court, Owerri, which had noted that Ibezim (an APC contestant and first respondent in the case), was not granted fair hearing by the trial court which had earlier disqualified him.

“In conclusion therefore, I hold the view that the lower court was right that the first respondent was shut out and denied his right to fair hearing. The proceedings in the trial court constitute a nullity and must be stuck out. The Appellant’s appeal therefore lacks merit and same must be struck out.

“The decision of the lower court setting aside the judgement of the trial court is hereby affirmed and parties shall bear their respective costs,” he said.

Furthermore, there is still a pending judgement before the Appeal Court, Abuja, about a Federal High Court judgment which had disqualified Ibezim from being fielded by the APC, over anomalies with his school certificate.