Tinubu’s Spokesman Hit With N10m Fine Over Frivolous Suit Against Atiku
- Festus Keyamo has been ordered to pay N5 million to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for filing a frivolous suit
- Similarly, the court also ordered him to pay N5 million to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC)
- The presiding judge, Justice Omotosho, ruled that the application by Keyamo lacked the locus standi to institute the suit
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FCT, Abuja - Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit filed by Festus Keyamo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the spokesperson of the dissolved Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidential campaign, against the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
As reported by Premium Times, Keyamo filed a suit seeking the arrest of and prosecution of former vice president Atiku Abubakar by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
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On Monday, June 5, Justice Omotosho dismissed the suit at its first stage, describing it as frivolous and fined Keyamo N10 million.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho ordered N5 million to be paid to the PDP presidential candidate and another N5 million to ICPC, adding a 10% interest rate per annum until the complete liquidation.
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It was gathered that Keyamo's suit had sought that the ICPC should investigate Atiku on the claims contained in an affidavit deposed to by one Michael Achimugu, alleging that Atiku used a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to enrich himself while he was Vice President of Nigeria corruptly.
Meanwhile, the legal attorney to the PDP presidential candidate, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), objected to the suit noting that Keyamo's application lacked locus standi.
In writing, he noted that Keyamo failed to mention the damage he suffered from what he had accused Atiku of.
Why Justice Omotosho ruled against Keyamo
After hearing the argument of Atiku’s attorney, Justice Omotosho agreed with his position noting that Keyamo’s lacked the locus standi to institute the suit and that the application was filed in bad faith after failing to establish the damage he suffered.
The judge added that the letter issued by Keyamo to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the EFCC and the ICPC giving them 72 hours to arrest and investigate Atiku was done in hastiness and out of bad faith as the time frame issued was not sufficient enough.
Justice Omotosho further berated Kayamo, noting that such a frivolous suit was not what was expected from a lawyer of his calibre.
He also lauded the EFCC and the ICPC for their restraint and for not allowing themselves to take orders from Keyamo (the plaintiff) as if they were his servants.
Keyamo vows to appeal court’s dismissal of suit to compel Investigation of Atiku over SPV
Meanwhile, Festus Keyamo has vowed to appeal the dismissal of his suit against Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.
The suit sought to compel the investigation of Atiku, the presidential candidate of the PDP, in the 2023 election.
Atiku, a former vice president, was accused of corruption concerning funds for purchasing some special-purpose vehicles.
Source: Legit.ng
