A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has alleged “monetary inducement” of officials of the Appeal Court to alter a judgement the judges delivered on the suit relating to party candidates for 2023 election in Edo State.
The PDP Deputy State Chairman, Harrison Omagbon, in a statement indicated that the party received information that some unnamed persons brought out huge sums of money to influence judiciary officials to alter a court judgement which ordered the INEC to reject nominees list of PDP faction led Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The Court of Appeal had on Friday dismissed the list of PDP nominees loyal to Governor Obaseki, upholding candidates list loyal to the Legacy Group led by the PDP National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih.
Omagbon had declared: “This statement is for Edo State indigenes and the general public to take note.
“Information reaching us from reliable sources clearly indicates that certain elements and enemies of democracy have been putting pressure on the Federal Court of Appeal officials sitting in Benin City, to change its already delivered judgment of 22nd of November 2022, in favour of the ‘Gov. Obaseki candidates’.
“Several comments and messages on social media have also exposed the boasts and threats of many of their supporters, that certain sums of money have been set aside and will be deployed this week to reverse the legal position.
“It is pertinent to note that all parties to the suit have been given certified true copies of the judgment, which cannot be altered.
“We call on all who are involved in this clandestine act, to desist forthwith, as such despicable act is capable of bringing down the Judiciary. We must remember that the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man in Nigeria.
“We advise all affected by the judgment to take necessary legal steps to seek redress in areas of their disagreement. Asking same court to reverse itself on a judgment given, will amount to the court sitting as an appellate court over its own judgment.
“We therefore call on all lovers of democracy as well as party faithful, to take note of this ugly development.”