Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has described a Governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ogun State, Jimi Lawal as a spoiler in the affairs of the Party towards the 2023 general election.

The Judge also affirmed a former House of Representative member, Oladipupo Adebutu, as the winner of the Ogun State Governorship Primary of the Party.

He dismissed the suit filed by Lawal challenging the emergence of Adebutu as the candidate of the Party, for lacking reliable and credible evidence.

Lawal, who contested the May 25 governorship primary election of PDP, had challenged the emergence of Adebutu, alleging that an invalid delegates list was fraudulently used by the PDP to conduct the election.

The case which was earlier dismissed by an Abeokuta High Court for lack of jurisdiction was later sustained by an Abuja Court of Appeal following an appeal by Lawal.

The Supreme Court, a fortnight ago, returned the case to the High Court to be heard on its merit.

Lawal had prayed that the primary which produced Adebutu be cancelled and another conducted with the authentic ad hoc delegates.

Delivering Judgement, Justice Ekwo described Lawal as a “spoiler”, having joined the PDP in March from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and participated in governorship primary held in May.

The court also held that the delegates list which Lawal challenged, is the same list approved by the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which was used during the primaries which produced Adebutu as the candidate of the party.

Reacting to the judgement, the lead Counsel to Adebutu, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) described the suit as frivolous, saying he was happy the court vindicated the primary election victory of Adebutu.

Uche said the case was initially dead on arrival, adding that the judgement of the court has given it a decent burial.

He said, “I am very happy that the court has vindicated the primary election victory of our client, Hon Adebutu. Today, the court has thrown away the very frivolous suit filed by Jimi Lawal.

“You know this matter travelled all the way from Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal, to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court said ‘hear this matter on its merit’.

“This matter has been heard on its merit and it has been fully been dealt with, disposed off and given a very decent burial.

“From the first day, we said this case was dead on arrival and we are happy that it has been approved.

“You will also recall that earlier this week on Monday, a Court of Appeal also vindicated the victory of our client as the properly nominated candidate for PDP in Ogun State.”