The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the All Progressives Congress (APC) permission to transfer the case filed by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim regarding the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election from Abuja to the Akure Division for hearing.
Originally scheduled for mention before Justice Inyang Ekwo in Abuja on May 29, the case will now be moved to the Federal High Court in Akure.
This decision aligns with the current practice direction issued by the Honourable Chief Judge, which mandates that all pre-election matters be heard and determined in the judicial division where the election occurred.
On May 14 that the APC asked the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, to transfer the case filed by the defeated party’s governorship aspirant, Senator Ibrahim, from Abuja to Ondo State, being the venue of the primary election subject matter of the suit.
In a letter written to the Chief Judge by counsel to APC, Matthew Burkaa SAN, sued as the 1st Respondent in the suit, cited the convenience of the parties for the reason, since the plaintiff and defendants are based in Ondo State, moreso, there is a Federal High Court in the state.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim had instituted the suit at the Abuja Division of the Court on May 3, 2024, seeking to void the primary election that produced Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as the candidate of the party for the November election. Sued in the suit as defendants are the APC, Governor Aiyedatiwa and INEC.