It’s over for David Lyon, Supreme Court rules, affirms Diri as governor

ABUJA, Nigeria – Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress(APC), in Bayelsa State, Mr. David Lyon is downhearted after the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday dashed his hope by insisting that candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Bayelsa State remains the duly elected governor of the state.

A Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Mary Odili had sacked David Lyon, less than 24 hours before his swearing in ceremony. He threreafter approached the Supreme Court for review of the judgement of February 13, 2020.

But during the hearing today, the Supreme Court dismissed the applications for review . Justice Amina Augie who read the judgment, describes David Lyon’s applications as lacking merit, adding that the decisions of the court are final.

“There must be an end to litigation. Even if we review this judgment, every disaffected litigant will bring similar applications and the finality of Supreme Court judgments will be lost,” Amina Augie lashed out.

According to her, the applicants failed to point out errors in the 13 February judgment and thereafter pronounced the judgment as final for all ages and that no court on earth can review it.

She described the applications as frivolous and vexatious and awarded the cost of N10 million against the applicants to be personally paid by their counsel.

Justice Augie also levied cost on the lawyers of APC and Mr Lyon. According to her, David Lyon and his lawyers are to pay Governor Douye Diri, his deputy Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the PDP the same N10 million, making a total of N50million.

The seven justices, headed by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta ruled after listening to the submissions by lawyers from the chambers of Legal luminary, Afe Babalola.