The Supreme Court has described as vexatious, frivolous and flagrant abuse of court process an application filed by the All Progressives Congress to have the judgement that overturned the victory of the party in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State reviewed.
A seven-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Sylvester Ngwuta upheld its judgement sacking the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor-elect of Bayelsa.
Justice Amina Augie who read the lead judgment said the applications amount to an invitation for the apex court to sit in appeal on its earlier judgment in violation of the Constitution.
She submitted that, if the applications were granted, it would amount to spurning the stature of the court as the final destination of litigation.
She said granting the applications would create a precedent that would undermine the apex court and create a leeway for subsequent application for the review of decisions of the Supreme Court.
“There must be an end to litigation,” she said, adding, “the decision of the Supreme Court is final for ages in a matter” and only legislation could change it.
She said with tears in her eyes, she regretted that “very senior” lawyers were responsible for filing the applications.
The apex court awarded the costs of N10m to be personally paid by Lyon’s lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), and APC’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).
It ruled that each of the lawyers must pay the N10m to each of the three respondents – the Peoples Democratic Party, Governor Duoye Diri, and the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhruojakpo.