CERTIFICATE SAGA: S’Court dismisses suit against Buhari, but issues criticism

The Justice Mary Peter-Odili-led Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal seeking the disqualification of President Muhammadu Buhari as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last presidential election.

This follows the application for withdrawal by the counsel to the appellants, Ukpai Ukairo, on Monday.

The three appellants, Kalu Kalu Agu, Labaran Ismail, Hassy Jyari El-Kunis, had filed 12 grounds notice of appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge the July 12, 2019 judgment of the Court of Appeal.

The three appellants accused Buhari of falsely claiming to possess a school certificate which he never had.

The apex court noted that the suit was statute-barred, affirming the earlier decisions of both the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court.

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But before striking out the suit, the court criticised the appearance of Abdullahi Abubakar, a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, for Buhari.

The members of the panel likened Abubakar’s appearance for Buhari in the president’s private capacity to using public office to defend a private suit.

Speaking on the matter in her lead judgment, Peter-Odili said, “The court notes the inappropriate appearance of Mr. Abdullahi Abubakar state counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice, representing the first respondent Gen. Muhammad Buhari (retd) in his personal capacity.

“This practice must be discouraged.”

She went on to dismiss the appeal following its withdrawal by the appellants’ counsel.

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