On Monday, December 16, the Supreme Court of Nigeria will rule on a fresh legal challenge that could determine the future of President Bola Tinubu’s tenure.
The case, marked SC/CV/667/2023, seeks his removal from office on two primary allegations: that he is unqualified to hold the presidency and that he unlawfully assumed the office in violation of Nigerian law.
The suit was filed by Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru, a former candidate in the 2019 presidential election under the Hope Democratic Party (HDP).
Owuru, a British-trained lawyer who was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, asserts that he was the rightful winner of the 2019 election, but that his victory was usurped by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Owuru also claims that his previous legal challenge to Buhari’s presidency was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to a technical error regarding hearing dates.
Named as defendants in the suit are former President Buhari, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and President Tinubu himself.
The Supreme Court is set to hear the case on December 16, with potential implications for the legitimacy of the current administration
The hearing notice in respect of the new suit reads: “Please kindly take note that SC/CV/667/2023 Chief Ambrose Albert Owuru & Anor VS President Muhammadu Buhari & 3 Ors at the Supreme Court of Nigeria sitting at Abuja is slated for the hearing of Motions on Monday 16/12/2024.
“Thanks, Ukor Michael Akan, for: the Hon. Chief Registrar.”
