The Court of Appeal has set aside a judgment of the Federal High Court recognising expelled Shehu Gabam as the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The three-member panel, comprising Justices Fadawu Umaru, M.S. Hassan and L.A. Ganiyu, delivered a unanimous judgment, with Justice Hassan leading the panel.
The appellate court held that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to make orders affecting the rights and interests of persons who were not properly before it.
Relying on the doctrine of stare decisis, the court stressed that decisions of the Supreme Court are binding on all lower courts. It noted that an earlier Court of Appeal decision relied upon by the trial court had subsequently been set aside by the Supreme Court.
The court consequently nullified the Federal High Court’s pronouncements on the SDP leadership dispute, including issues relating to the party’s primary election and alleged parallel candidates.
Reacting, SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo welcomed the judgment, while SDP Chairman Sadiq Abubakar thanked the court and urged INEC to respect the party’s decision.