By Milcah Tanimu

On Thursday, the Supreme Court granted a stay of execution regarding the Court of Appeal’s orders issued on March 1, 2024. These orders had set aside inspections conducted by the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The Appeal Court in Abuja had previously overturned the decision of the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, also situated in Abuja. However, SDP candidate Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka and the party directed their legal team to appeal to the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal’s orders.

Upon the petitioners’ legal team’s application for an interim stay, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioners.

Chief J.S. Okutepa SAN, alongside Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa SAN and other lawyers, presented the application Thursday morning, urging the Supreme Court to grant the application to prevent the irreparable damages the Court of Appeal’s orders might cause the petitioners.

The Supreme Court concurred and ordered a stay regarding the reliefs sought in the motion filed on March 5, 2024.

The motion on notice has been adjourned to March 11, 2024, for a hearing.