The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the applications for a review of its February 13, 2020, judgment which overturned the All Progressives Congress’ victory in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State.
Justice Sylvester Ngwuta-led seven-man panel described the applications filed by the APC and its governorship candidate at the poll, David Lyon, as vexatious, frivolous, and constituted a gross abuse of court process.
According to Justice Amina Augie who read the lead judgment, the applications amount to an invitation for the apex court to sit in appeal on its earlier judgment in violation of the Constitution.
She said, “There must be an end to litigation, the decision of the Supreme Court is final for ages in a matter.”
She said that with tears in her eyes she regretted that “very senior” lawyers were responsible for filing the applications.
The apex court awarded the costs of N10m to be personally paid by Lyon’s lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), and APC’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).
It ruled that each of the lawyers must pay the N10m to each of the three respondents – the Peoples Democratic Party, Governor Duoye Diri, and the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhruojakpo.