Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu is facing legal challenges as he’s accused of unlawfully inaugurating himself despite a pending legal action against the 2023 presidential poll.
Constitutional lawyer and 2019 presidential candidate Chief Albert Ambrose Owuru filed a case at the Supreme Court, seeking to nullify Tinubu’s inauguration.
Owuru argues that the election leading to Tinubu’s victory is invalid due to his unresolved legal dispute against Tinubu and others.
Owuru, who contested the 2019 election, claimed victory but filed a suit against the result.
“The implication of this, by law is that the 2023 presidential election and its outcome which Tinubu was aware of before joining the suit, is subsumed and dependent on the outcome of the existing legal proceedings on the subject of the already adjudged and yet to be served constitutional mandate of Owuru to serve out the term of office of the President of Nigeria as required by law.
Tinubu later joined the case voluntarily. In a recent motion, Owuru asks the Supreme Court to restrain Tinubu from operating the Federation Account until constitutional questions about the 2023 election are resolved.
Owuru claims Tinubu’s awareness of the lawsuit and his subsequent inauguration violate the doctrine of lis pendens, which suggests that parties should not take actions that may affect pending court matters.
In a statement, Owuru argues that Tinubu’s claim to the presidency is affected by lis pendens, emphasizing that no actions should be taken by parties involved that could prejudice existing constitutional rights.
He insists that Tinubu, having joined the ongoing proceedings, should await the outcome before claiming the presidency. Owuru urges Nigerians to be patient for a resolution to determine the authentic Nigerian President.
Owuru’s legal journey began in 2019, with his first suit dismissed by the Federal High Court. He appealed to the Court of Appeal, which refused to stop Tinubu’s May 29 inauguration, stating that Owuru abused court processes.
The legal battle underscores the complexity surrounding the 2023 election and the need for a lawful resolution to determine the rightful president.
