Supreme Court Dismisses Suit Against President Tinubu, Imposes N5 Million Fine

The Supreme Court has dismissed a suit seeking to remove President Bola Tinubu from office, describing it as frivolous. In a unanimous ruling delivered by a five-member panel, led by Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, the court also imposed a fine of N5 million on the plaintiff, Chief Ambrose Owuru, the 2019 presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP).

The court sternly warned its registry not to entertain any further frivolous filings from Owuru. The plaintiff’s suit alleged that President Tinubu was unfit for office, claiming he was an agent of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and citing past allegations of financial forfeiture related to a drug case in the United States.

Owuru also sought the disqualification of Tinubu under section 157 of the 1999 Constitution and demanded to be declared the rightful winner of the 2019 presidential election. He claimed his mandate had been usurped by former President Muhammadu Buhari and sought his immediate swearing-in as Nigeria’s president.

A History of Legal Challenges

This is not the first time Owuru has pursued legal action against sitting presidents. His political party, HDP, was deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and his claims of winning a 2019 referendum remain unsubstantiated.

Owuru’s petition against Buhari in 2019 was dismissed by the Supreme Court due to what he described as a “mix-up” in hearing dates. Following Tinubu’s election in 2023, Owuru unsuccessfully attempted to halt the swearing-in of the then President-elect.

Supreme Court Rebukes Plaintiff

During Monday’s hearing, Owuru represented himself in court but was instructed to remove his lawyer’s wig and gown before addressing the panel. The justices criticized his decision to refile a case that had already been dismissed multiple times.

Justice Abba-Aji expressed disappointment in Owuru, stating his actions were unbecoming of a lawyer with over 40 years of experience. The panel also threatened to refer him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for possible sanctions.

Previous Fines for Frivolous Suits

This is not the first financial penalty imposed on Owuru. In May 2023, the Court of Appeal fined him N40 million for filing another baseless suit aimed at stopping Tinubu’s inauguration.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s ruling underscores its commitment to addressing frivolous litigation and ensuring that the judicial process is not abused. While Owuru maintains his claims, the repeated dismissal of his cases reflects a lack of legal merit. For now, President Tinubu’s position remains secure, with the judiciary signaling its unwillingness to entertain further baseless challenges.