The Nigerian Supreme Court delivers judgment on Owuru’s lawsuit challenging President Tinubu’s legitimacy.
Nigeria (EPICSTORIAN) – In a grand ruling, Nigeria’s Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit seeking the removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over allegations linked to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and past drug forfeiture claims.
The suit, brought forward by Ambrose Owuru, a former presidential candidate under the de-registered Hope Democratic Party (HDP), was labeled “frivolous” by the court, which imposed a N5 million fine on the plaintiff.
Court Called The Lawsuit Baseless
Delivering the unanimous judgment on Monday, a five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, condemned the suit as baseless and lacking merit. The court further instructed its Registry to reject any future ‘frivolous filings’ from Owuru.
Justice Abba-Aji remarked, “This court cannot be turned into a playground for baseless litigations. The plaintiff has once again brought forward claims with no legal or factual foundation.”
The Allegations and the Legal Basis
Owuru’s suit hinged on allegations that President Tinubu was “an active agent of the CIA,” a position he argued rendered Tinubu unfit to serve as Nigeria’s president. He further cited a decades-old incident in which Tinubu forfeited $460,000 to U.S. authorities following a drug-related investigation. According to Owuru, these factors disqualified the president under Section 157 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
Owuru, a British-trained lawyer called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982, presented his case personally. He argued that Tinubu’s presidency violated national sovereignty, stating, “The office of the president must remain free from any foreign influence or interests.”
In a surprising twist, the plaintiff also attempted to revive claims surrounding the 2019 general election. Owuru maintained that he had won a referendum allegedly held prior to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) official postponement of the election from February 16 to February 23, 2019. He insisted that former President Muhammadu Buhari’s subsequent victory and tenure were illegal, accusing Buhari of “hijacking” his mandate.
“I secured over 50 million votes during a valid referendum monitored by local and international observers. My mandate was stolen,” Owuru told the court, seeking to have himself declared president.
Repeated Frivolous Filings
This is not the first time Owuru has taken such a legal path. Earlier in May 2023, the Abuja Court of Appeal dismissed a similar case from Owuru and fined him N40 million for attempting to halt Tinubu’s inauguration. He had previously made attempts to challenge Buhari’s swearing-in in 2019, each time raising claims that the electoral process had been compromised.
The court criticized Owuru for abusing the judicial process, pointing to his history of recycling baseless allegations. “The judicial system cannot be burdened with frivolous matters that waste valuable time and resources,” the panel declared.
Broader Political and Legal Context
Nigeria’s judiciary has been under increasing pressure to resolve complex electoral disputes and address growing political tensions. President Tinubu, elected in the 2023 general election, has faced multiple challenges to his mandate, including petitions alleging electoral irregularities. The courts, however, have consistently upheld his victory.
Tinubu’s presidency comes at a critical time for Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, which is grappling with economic stagnation, inflation exceeding 33%, and rising unemployment rates. The administration has introduced reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy, including the removal of fuel subsidies and efforts to unify the country’s currency exchange system.
Politically, Nigeria continues to experience heightened polarization, with opposition parties frequently challenging the legitimacy of electoral outcomes. The judiciary has played a central role in resolving disputes, often balancing political grievances with constitutional integrity.
Challenges Ahead
While the Supreme Court’s decision maybe be viewed as appropriate as to prevent abuse of judicial processes, it also highlights the lingering distrust in Nigeria’s electoral system. Allegations of malpractice, even when unsubstantiated, reflect a broader sentiment among segments of Nigerian citizens who question the transparency of democratic institutions and the rule of law.
For Owuru, Monday’s ruling marks yet another legal defeat in his long-running efforts to reclaim what he describes as a “stolen mandate.” Legal analysts, however, view the decision as a victory for judicial efficiency.
Reacting to the judgment, a legal expert, Barrister Victor Okorie, commented, “This ruling reaffirms the importance of presenting credible evidence before the courts. Nigeria’s judiciary must not be derailed by baseless suits that lack substance.”
Also Read: NGO Empowers Lagos Communities to Tackle Child Abuse, Protect Domestic Workers
With the N5 million fine and an explicit warning from the apex court, it remains uncertain whether Owuru will attempt further legal challenges. The court’s firm stance, however, sends a strong signal to individuals seeking to exploit the judiciary for personal or political gain.
As the country is faced with its economic and political challenges, the focus now shifts to President Tinubu’s administration, which must address pressing issues such as insecurity, unemployment, and economic reforms while maintaining public trust in democratic governance.
