A High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Bwari has upheld the election of Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo as the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
Justice Othman Musan in a judgment, held that Sukuno was duly elected as NYCN’s President and that his occupation of the office was in order.
The judgment was on a suit marked: FCT/HC/BW/CV/181/2020, by the Incorporated Trustees of the United Visionary Youth of Nigeria (UVYN)n an affiliate group of NYCN.
UVYN had complained among others, of unlawful exclusion and not being issued notice requesting for nominations of delegates for the NYCN’s election held between August 5 and 7, 2018 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
In the judgement delivered on August 12, 2020, a certified true copy of which was made available on Wednesday, Justice Musa held that the election was conducted in accordance with the constitution of the NYCN.
Justice Musa, who resolved the two issues identified for determination against the claimant, held that as against the claimant’s claim, there was evidence that it made nominations for the election.
The judge further held that the claimant failed to challenged the election within four days as required under the NYCN’s constitution, but chose to file the suit two years after the election took place.
He said: “I hold that based on the evidence presented before the court, the defendant (Sukubo) was validly elected, and as such, can continue to act and perform the duties of the President of the NYCN.”
Justice Musa, who dismissed the suit by the Incorporated Trustees of the UVYN, proceeded to uphold the counter-claim by Sukubo and granted the reliefs sought therein.
The judge said: “for emphasis, I hereby resolve the sole question of the counter-claimant in his favour and against the defendant to the counter-claim.
“I grant the reliefs sought by the counter-claimant and hold as follows:
“That having been duly elected by the National Youth Council of Nigeria and in accordance with the provision of her constitution, and having been recognised, acknowledged and congratulated by the federal government of Nigeria via the letter dated 6th May 2019 from the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, the counter-claimant, Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo, is entitled to be the President of the NYCN for a single term of four years tenure.
“I also order due recognition of the counter – claimant, Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo, as the duly elected President of the NYCN and by virtue of which entitles him to lead the NYCN for as single four-year tenure in accordance with article 13.1 (A) of the Constitution of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.”
