The Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe has adjourned the case between Hon. Bashir Machina and Senate President Ahmed Lawan to 12/09/2022.
The defendants Lawan and the All Progressive Congress(APC) had filled a preliminary objections challenging the jurisdiction of the court on the matter.
The Presiding Judge Fadimatu Murtala Aminu deferred the ruling on the matter after both counsels requested for time to submit their responses both on the originating surmons and the preliminary objections by the claimants.
Speaking with journalists outside the court , counsel to Machina, Ibrahim Bawa, SAN said: “We are here before Federal High Court Damaturu in respect of a case filed by Shariff Machina against the APC and Ahmad Lawan for Yobe North Senatorial election.
“The matter came up today, the defendants have not filed their processes except they have filed notices of preliminary objections. we were served with the notices this morning.
“The Court has given them time to file their counter affidavits to the originating process. So, the matter couldn’t go on because they are not yet ready. As soon as they file their responses, we are expected to file ours as well.
“The matter is therefore adjourned to 12th Sept., 2022 on which all the processes and responses would have been in and the matter will go on for hearing by the grace of God.”
On the substantive matter before the court, Bawa informed Machina is asking the court to stop APC and INEC from sending the name of Lawan who did not participate in the primary elections.
“We are asking the court in our originating surmons to declared that, the APC cannot send the name of Ahmad Lawan who didn’t participate in the primary election of the APC for Yobe North Senatorial District.
“The court should direct the APC to send the name of the plaintiff, my client Machina and INEC to be directed to accept and fill him as a candidate of part for Yobe North Senatorial District,” Bawa explained.
The lawyers of Sen. Ahmed Lawan declined to speak to journalists when prompted.
The Nation