Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi representing Taraba North Senatorial District was today sacked by the Supreme Court, so also was Honourable Herman Hembe representing, Vandikwa/ Konshisha constituency of Benue State.
The two lawmakers were asked to vacate their seats immediately, refund all salaries and allowances they have received within 90 days.
The order sacking the Senator from Taraba was contained in the judgement of the apex court on the appeal filed by Shuaibu Isa Lau challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal that had upturned his victory at the primary on the ground that he was wrongfully substituted. The apex court, in the judgment also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate issued to Senator Abubakar Danladi and issued a fresh certificate to of return to Isa Lau.
The five member panel of the Apex court in the unanimous judgement and read by Justice Adamu Augie held that the, “Appellant has the right to participate just like any other candidate in the primary and if he feels his right was infringed upon, he has the right to approach the court.
“From the totality of the appeal before this court, all the issues are resolved in favour of the appellant. His substitution at the primary election is null and void since the appellant scored the highest number of votes, the only option is to declare the appellant as the winner of primary election.
“This court hereby order that the appellant be issued with the certificate of return and the respondent should immediately vacate the seat”, the court held and further ordered that Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi to return to the National Assembly all salaries and allowances received as a Senator within 90 days.
In another Supreme Court decision, Honourable Herman Hembe representing, Vandikwa/ Konshisha constituency was also sacked and ordered to vacate his seat for the appellant, Mrs. Dorothy Mato the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Vandikwa/Konshisha Federal Constituency of Benue State.
The apex court also ordered Hembe to vacate his post immediately and return all salaries and benefits collected while in office within 90 days and held that Mrs. Dorothy Mato was the rightful winner of the APC ticket for Vandikwa/ Konshisha Federal Constituency of Benue State. The court ordered INEC to issue certificate of return to Mato.
