The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State’s appeal challenging a Federal High Court ruling that questioned his eligibility to contest the upcoming governorship election.
The appeal, filed against the November 24, 2025 judgment of the Federal High Court in Akure, was unanimously rejected by a three-member panel of the appellate court.
The court upheld the trial court’s decision to allow the plaintiff, Akindele Egbuwalo, to amend his originating summons.
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Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam stated that Aiyedatiwa “did not sufficiently demonstrate that the ruling of the trial judge resulted in injustice or infringed upon his right to a fair hearing.”
The appellate court dismissed the governor’s appeal for lacking merit and awarded costs of ₦2 million against him.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal had also rejected an application by Aiyedatiwa seeking to set aside its January 27, 2026 order that stayed further proceedings in the Federal High Court suit.
The court clarified that the order “did not arrest the trial court’s judgment” but was a lawful exercise of its jurisdiction to maintain the integrity of its proceedings.
The judiciary noted that at the time the stay order was issued, the governor’s appeal had been formally entered, records compiled, and legal briefs filed.
The appellate court emphasised that it had acted appropriately to safeguard the res and prevent its proceedings from being rendered nugatory.
