May 26, 2025
Legalpedia Citation: (2009-12) Legalpedia 51144 (SC) In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja Fri Dec 4, 2009 Suit Number: SC 233/2008 CORAM A.I. KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE […]
CORAM
A.I. KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
A.I. KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
W.S.N. ONNOGHEN, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
C.M. CHUKWUMA-ENEH, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
M.S. MUNTAKA-COOMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
RT. HON. MICHAEL BALONWU
HON. BEN CHUKS NWOSU
HON. UCHENNA OKONKWO OKOM
HON. OSITA CHINWUBA
HON. DR. BEN OBIDIGBO
HON. EMMA ILOEGBUNAM
(For themselves and on behalf of Honourable Members of Anambra State House of Assembly who held the first session of the House of Assembly of the State upon the proclamation for the holding of the first session by His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi (excluding those Honourable members of Anambra State House of Assembly who do not support this suit)
APPELLANTS
1. GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA STATE
2. HON. ANAYO NNEBE
3. HON. DISMAS B. A. OBI
4. HON. NJIDEKA EZEIGWE
5. HON. NKIRU UGOCHUKWU
6. HON. BARR. GABRIEL ONYENWIFE
7. HON. IFEANYI IGWE
8. HON. EGBOKA TIMOTHY
9. HON. PRINCE EBERE NZECHUKWU
10. HON. MICHAEL O. OFFOR
11. HON. CHIEF JOE ISAGU
12. HON. SYLVESTER OKEKE
13. HON. JOSEPH DIMOBI
14. HON. BONIFACE A. OKONKWO
15. HON. CYPRIAN O. UGHAMADU
16. HON. UCHENNA S. UMERIE
17. HON. SIMON OHAJIANYA
18. HON. SIMON U. OKPALEKE
19. HON. ANTHONY NWOYE EZECHI
20. HON. JOSEPH C. OKEKE
21. HON. AMECHI M. IKENN
22. HON. BRIGET C. CHUKWUKA
23. HON. LILIAN OKOSI
24. HON. CHINWE C. NWAEBILI
25. HON. CHINEDU MOKUWE
26. HON. OBIORA CHUKWUKA
27. HON. EJIOFOR F. A. EGBUATU
28. HON. EMEKA G. IDU
29. UCHE OGBONNA
30. HON. PAULINUS OBICHUKWU
31. HON. SOLOMON ANUSIKE
32. HON. SHEDRACK N. ANAKWUE
33. CHIEF JOHN MUORAH
34. HON. GODDY EJIAMIKE
(For themselves and as representing other candidates who contested April 14, 2007 election for all the 30 seats of Anambra State House of Assembly for the session covering June 2007 – June 2011 excluding those candidates who are not in support) 1ST RESPONDENT
(SPEAKER)
(DEPUTY SPEAKER)
(MAJORITY LEADER)
(DEPUTY LEADER)
(CHIEF WHIP)
(DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP)
2ND TO 30TH RESPONDENTS
31ST TO 34TH RESPONDENTS
RESPONDENTS
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
ELECTORIAL MATTERS – INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES
SUMMARY OF FACTS
The appellants as plaintiffs based their claim on the interpretation of section 105 of the 1999 constitution prescribing the tenure of the office of the members of the State House of Assembly. The trial judge refused all the claims of the appellant and dismissed their action. Their appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed. They have further appealed.
HELD
Appeal dismissed
ISSUES
None
RATIONES DECIDENDI
WHAT GROUNDS OF APPEAL ARE BASED ON
An appeal is usually against the ratio decidendi of the judgment of a lower Court and not in respect of an obiter dicta made by the Court in the course of the said judgment.
RIGHTS, POWERS AND LIMITATIONS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION
Once the powers, the rights and the limitations under the Constitution are identified as having been created, their existence cannot be disputed in a Court of law. However, the extent of such powers rights and limitations and their implications may be sought to be interpreted and explained by the Court in cases properly brought before it.
LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF STATUTES
CASES CITED
1. Saraki vs. Kotoye (1992) 9 NWLR (Pt. 264) 156
2. Attorney General Ondo State vs. Attorney General of the Federation (2002) 9 NWLR (Pt. 772) 222
3. Abioye vs. Yakubu (1991) 5 NWLR (Pt. 190) 130
4. Odubeko vs. Fowler (1993) 7 NWLR (Pt. 308) 637
STATUTES REFERRED TO
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999