Cross River Senatorial battle: Jarigbe defeats Odey at Supreme Court

By Our Editor

The Supreme Court has upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, recognising Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for the Cross River North Senatorial District.

The legal battle was put to rest on Thursday, by a split decision of four to three,as the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Senator Stephen Odey challenging the judgment of the court of appeal, which declared Jarigbe Agom as the valid candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The majority judgment upheld the preliminary objections raised by Agom challenging the mode of service of the notice of appeal.

The PDP won the rescheduled December 5, 2020 elections held in the state.

The Abuja Court of Appeal had in its judgment declared Jarigbe Agom as the duly nominated candidate of the PDP and the rightful winner of the election against Odey, who was declared winner by INEC and sworn in by the senate.

The court also ordered the INEC to immediately issue a certificate of return to Jarigbe Agom and withdraw the one issued to Stephen Odey.