Ugar Ukandi Odey, Jos
Honorable Joshua Laven Ubandoma has resumed to duties as the Executive Chairman of Langtang North local government council as a high court in Jos today ruled that his tenure as chairman of the council is still subsisting.
Giving judgment today in a suit brought before him following declaration of vacancy in the executive chair of the council by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC, in the build up to last October’s local councils polls, Justice Kunda Ishaku said it was wrong in fact and in law to have conducted elections in the area while the tenure of the present chairman was far from over.
Justice Kunda said as elected Chairman, the complainant took oath to serve for three years, noting that “it was unconstitutional to cut short that tenure, and truncate it by conducting elections there”.
Accordingly, the Judge expressed surprise that with all the efforts by the complainant, Ubandoma to draw the attention of the PLASIEC to this reality, the electoral body shunned the opportunity and arrogantly proceeded to conduct elections in Langtang North.
Saying that what the PLASIEC did amounted to “an act of rascality”, Justice Kunda accordingly described the last October 9 local government elections in Langtang North local government area as a “waste of resources and a total nullity”.
Thus, the learned Judge ordered the APC chairman sworn in last month by Governor Lalong to vacate the office and must not parade himself for any reason as the executive chairman of Langtang North local government council.
Explaining the nature and structure of the judgment, counsel to Ubandoma, Niri Dangora, said it is a “declarative judgment”, meaning even if the respondent wants to go on appeal, the beneficiary of the outcome of the case has to return to the office immediately.
Justice Kunda awarded N1.5million cost against the PLASIEC, and warned it of dire consequences in the rule of law is breached.
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