The State high court sitting in Jos has reinstated the Chairman of Langtang North Local government area, Hon. Joshua Ubandoma.
Justice Kunda Ishaku while delivering judgement in a suit filed by the claimant, by way of Originating Summons, the Judge said, it was wrong in fact and in law to have conducted elections in the LGA while the tenure of the present chairman was far from over.
The Court in arriving in its decision said by its computation and calculation said, the seat would only become vacant on 9th October, 2022 and that Hon Laven “remains the Chairman of Langtang LG till 2022”.
Justice Kunda said as elected Chairman, the complainant took oath to serve for three years, noting that “it was unconstitutional to cut short that tenure, and truncate it by conducting elections there”. Accordingly, the Judge expressed surprise that with all the efforts by the complainant, Ubandoma to draw the attention of the PLASIEC to this reality, the electoral body shunned the opportunity and arrogantly proceeded to conduct elections in Langtang North.
Justice Kunda said, what the PLASIEC did amounted to “an act of rascality”, Justice Kunda accordingly described the last October 9 local government elections in Langtang North local government area as a “waste of resources and a total nullity”.
The learned Judge ordered the APC chairman sworn in last month by Governor Lalong to vacate the office and must not parade himself for any reason as the executive chairman of Langtang North local government council.
Explaining the nature and structure of the judgment, counsel to Ubandoma, Niri Dangora, said it is a “declarative judgment”, meaning even if the respondent wants to go on appeal, the beneficiary of the outcome of the case has to return to the office immediately.
Earlier and before reaching the judgment, the Court dismissed the Preliminary Objection (PO) filed by the Defendants, Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), Governor Simon Lalong and two others challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.
Justice Ishaku Kunda ruled that the tenure of the Chairman will begin to count from the day he was sworn in.
The court has however, awarded the cost of N2.5million to Hon. Laven, against the Defendants.
That is the right thing, I wish him a successful tenure. But didn't plasiec know of incomplete tenure? I hope they will conduct new election when this tenure elapse.