MR. KENNETH ADIGHIBE V. ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS & 3 ORS

OLUDOTUN ADEBOLA ADEFOPE-OKOJIE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting at Umuahia, delivered on the 20th day of January 2023 by M. G. Umar, J. (hereafter referred to synonymously as ‘the trial Judge’/ ‘lower Court’), granting the reliefs sought by the 3rd Respondent as Plaintiff. Aggrieved, the Appellant filed a six ground Notice of Appeal on 1st February, 2023.

FACTS OF THE CASE:

​The case of the 3rd Respondent, who was the Plaintiff at the lower Court, is that he was the candidate of the 1st Respondent for the Umuahia Central State Constituency in Abia State, at the direct primary election of the 1st Respondent held on 26th May 2022 and duly monitored by INEC, the 4th Respondent, wherein he emerged victorious. He was issued by the 1st Appellant with the necessary INEC Forms, which he filled and returned to the 1st Respondent to be forwarded to the 4th Respondent (INEC). To his utmost shock, it was the name of…