The Court of Appeal in Abuja has imposed a N1 million fine on David Atita, counsel for the Liberation Movement.
This penalty results from what the court deemed a waste of judicial time.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered the political party in 2020.
Liberation Movement appealed the Federal High Court’s July 24, 2020, ruling.
The court had dismissed its suit, which sought to restore its registration canceled by INEC after the 2019 general elections.
The party questioned INEC’s authority to deregister it and challenged the trial court’s decision.
The deregistration occurred because Liberation Movement failed to meet the constitutional requirements for election victories as outlined in Section 225(a) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Justice Okon Abang criticized the appeal as a waste of judicial resources during the November hearing.
He asserted that the appeal served merely as an academic exercise, referencing a 2021 Supreme Court ruling in the case of National Unity Party versus INEC.
Despite advice from INEC’s counsel to withdraw, Atita remained obstinate.
Justice Abang, in a unanimous judgment, noted that the appellant did not prove it met the necessary constitutional conditions for election victories in the 2019 polls.
He emphasized that the Court of Appeal lacks the authority to interpret Section 225(a) of the Nigerian Constitution.
The judge commended the trial court for its sound judgment and interpretation of Section 225(a).
He reiterated that the trial court acted correctly in ruling that the appellant had not substantiated its claims.
Justice Abang concluded by dismissing the appeal and ordering Atita to personally pay the N1 million fine to INEC.
Additionally, Justice Anwuri Chikere of the Federal High Court had previously dismissed Liberation Movement’s challenge against its deregistration for violating Section 225(a).
