ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR V. THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION & ORS
(2007) JELR 48106 (SC)
Supreme Court
•
SC.7/2007
•
25 Jan 2007
•
Nigeria
Coram
IDRIS LEGBO KUTIGI JSC;
UMARU ATU KALGO JSC;
GEORGE ADESOLA OGUNTADE JSC;
ALOMA MARIAM MUKHTAR JSC;
WALTER SAMUEL NKANU ONNOGHEN JSC;
PIUS OLAYIWOLA ADEREMI JSC;
CHRISTOPHER MITCHELL CHUKWUMA-ENEH JSC;
Appearances
Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN (with him, Rickey Tarfa, SAN; Kola Awodehin, SAN; Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN; Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN; Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN; AdetunjiOyeyipo, SAN; Omar Shiltien, Esq.; H. A. Nganjiwa, Esq.; O. O. Soyebo; J. O. Odubela, Esq.; O. Jolaawo; Rotimi Oguneso; A. Malgwi, Esq.; A. A. Malik, Esq.; Joshua Atobo, Esq.; P. M.Ayan) For Appellant
Duro Adeyele, SAN (with him, Mr. Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN; Mr. B. J. Akomolafe, SAN; Remi Awe-Osho [Mrs.]; Dotun Sowemimo; Yemisi Balogun [Mrs.]; Akinyemi Aremu; AkinAkintan; Mary Ekpenre [Miss]; Kehinde Ogunwuniju; Obir.na Durunguma; Bunmi Naiyeju; Isaiah Opaoje; Joke Akinfenwa [Mrs.] and Abubakar Aliyu) P. I. N. Ikwueto, SAN (with him, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN; Judith Idigo; Isaiah Bozimo; Edward Osammor and Abubakar Aliyu) -for the 2nd DefendantPeter Eze (with him, Anthony Enumah) 1. K. Gadzama, SAN (with him, Chief Bolaji AYOlinde, SAN; R. O. Yusuf; 1. Abana, O. U. Ozumba, Esq.; Chuka Ugwu; Kehinde Ojumuju; Joke Akintenwa; Eyitayo Fatogun, Esq.; LyndaAdzuanaga [Miss]; Seyi Adalumo [Mrs.]) For Respondent
Judgement
I. L. KUTIGI, AG. CJN (Delivering the Leading Ruling): By section 239(1)(b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution, original jurisdiction is conferred on the Court of Appeal to "hear and determine any question as to whether:
(b) the term of office of the President or Vice-President has ceased; or
(c) the office of President or Vice-President has become vacant."
The plaintiff by originating summons pursuant to the said section 239 applied to the Court of Appeal for the determination of the following (3) questions -
"I. Whether having regard to the combined provisions of section 135 and 142(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the plaintiff's terms of office as Vice-President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which commenced on 29th of May, 2003 still subsists.
2. Whether having regard to the provisions of sections 142, 143, 144 and 146 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, or any other provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Ni…
Cookie Policy