On December 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria imposed a fine of N5 million on Ambrose Albert Owuru, a former presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), for filing what the court deemed a “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu. This ruling follows Owuru’s repeated legal challenges concerning the outcomes of the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
Background of the Case
Owuru’s legal troubles date back to his claims regarding the 2019 presidential election, where he alleged that he was the rightful winner but was unlawfully deprived of his victory by former President Muhammadu Buhari. His initial case against Buhari and Tinubu was dismissed by the Supreme Court in January 2024 due to being statute-barred—meaning it was filed too late—and lacking substantive merit (Leadership, 2024).
In his latest appeal, Owuru sought to challenge this dismissal and requested that the Supreme Court declare him as president, citing various allegations against Tinubu, including claims of drug-related issues and connections to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He argued that these factors disqualified Tinubu from holding office.
Supreme Court Ruling
During the hearing, which took place in Abuja, Owuru attempted to convince the five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji that his application was competent. However, the court found his arguments unconvincing. Justice Abba-Aji stated that Owuru’s actions were an abuse of court process and reflected poorly on his experience as a senior lawyer since being called to the bar in 1984.
The court emphasised that Owuru’s repeated attempts to revive previously dismissed cases were not only a waste of judicial resources but also an irritation to the legal system. Consequently, it ordered that no further originating summons from him be accepted by the court registry.
Implications of the Ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision sends a clear message regarding frivolous litigation in Nigeria. Legal experts have noted that such rulings are necessary to deter individuals from abusing the judicial system for personal grievances or political agendas (Punch, 2024). Owuru had previously faced significant fines from other courts for similar reasons; in May 2023, he was fined N40 million by the Court of Appeal for pursuing a case deemed without merit.Owuru’s persistent litigation not only highlights issues related to electoral disputes in Nigeria but also raises questions about accountability within the legal profession. Legal practitioners have suggested that his conduct may warrant disciplinary action from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) due to his misuse of legal processes.
By Joseph Johnston,
Youth Editor,
Egogonews HubOn December 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria imposed a fine of N5 million on Ambrose Albert Owuru, a former presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), for filing what the court deemed a “frivolous and vexatious” lawsuit against President Bola Tinubu. This ruling follows Owuru’s repeated legal challenges concerning the outcomes of the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections.
Background of the Case
Owuru’s legal troubles date back to his claims regarding the 2019 presidential election, where he alleged that he was the rightful winner but was unlawfully deprived of his victory by former President Muhammadu Buhari. His initial case against Buhari and Tinubu was dismissed by the Supreme Court in January 2024 due to being statute-barred—meaning it was filed too late—and lacked substantive merit (Leadership, 2024).
In his latest appeal, Owuru sought to challenge this dismissal and requested that the Supreme Court declare him as president, citing various allegations against Tinubu, including claims of drug-related issues and connections to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He argued that these factors disqualified Tinubu from holding office.
Supreme Court Ruling
During the hearing, which took place in Abuja, Owuru attempted to convince the five-member panel led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji that his application was competent. However, the court found his arguments unconvincing. Justice Abba-Aji stated that Owuru’s actions were an abuse of court process and reflected poorly on his experience as a senior lawyer since being called to the bar in 1984.
The court emphasised that Owuru’s repeated attempts to revive previously dismissed cases were not only a waste of judicial resources but also an irritation to the legal system. Consequently, it ordered that no further originating summons from him be accepted by the court registry.
Implications of the Ruling
The Supreme Court’s decision sends a clear message regarding frivolous litigation in Nigeria. Legal experts have noted that such rulings are necessary to deter individuals from abusing the judicial system for personal grievances or political agendas (Punch, 2024). Owuru had previously faced significant fines from other courts for similar reasons; in May 2023, he was fined N40 million by the Court of Appeal for pursuing a case deemed without merit.Owuru’s persistent litigation not only highlights issues related to electoral disputes in Nigeria but also raises questions about accountability within the legal profession. Legal practitioners have suggested that his conduct may warrant disciplinary action from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) due to his misuse of legal processes.
By Joseph Johnston,
Youth Editor,
Egogonews Hub
