Withdraw Oshiomhole’s certificate of return – Lawmaker begs Court

Hon. Sylvanus Eruaga, the member representing Etsako West II constituency in Edo State House of Assembly, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Benin seeking an order to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the member-elect, Seid Oshiomhole, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Seid is a younger brother to the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

In suit No FHC/B/CS/36/2019 between Sylvanus Oshioke Eruaga, the Independent National Electoral Commission and 5 others, the plaintiff’s counsel, Barr. Dele Igbinedion said his constitutionally prescribed four years tenure in office will expire on April 5, 2020.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker who relied on subsisting Court of Appeal judgement delivered on December 19th 2015 in his favour, Appeal No CA/EPT/ 343/3015 between Sylvanus O.I Eruaga Vs Dr Gowon Marughu and 5 others also prayed the court to determine whether his tenure in office did not commence on the 5th April 2016 when he subscribed to Oaths of Office and Allegiance or 8th June 2015 when the Assembly was inaugurated.

He prayed the court for a perpetual injunction restraining Seid Oshiomhole from parading himself as member representing Etsako West Constituency ll.

According to him, the plaintiff seat which the Independent National Electoral Commission conducted on March 9, 2019 election to fill was not vacant.

Barr. Igbinedion prayed the court for further declaration of N30 million salaries, allowances, payment of overhead entitlement for his client within the nine months the APC lawmaker illegally occupied the seat before he was declared winner by the Court.