The Supreme Court of Nigeria is set to hear a case filed by Chief Ambrose Owuru, a former presidential candidate of the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), seeking the removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office. The hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 16, 2024.
Owuru, in his suit, alleged that President Tinubu is unfit to hold office due to claims that he is an agent of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and his prior forfeiture of $460,000 to the U.S. government in a drug-related case. He argued that Tinubu’s alleged ties to foreign authorities violate Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution.
The suit, marked SC/CV/667/2023, also names former President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants. Owuru contends that Buhari’s tenure was illegal and that he was the rightful winner of the 2019 presidential election.
Owuru alleged that his mandate was “hijacked” by Buhari, who he claims manipulated the electoral process with the help of INEC. He further stated that a mix-up in hearing dates prevented the Supreme Court from properly adjudicating his initial petition in 2019.
In his legal filings, Owuru is asking the Supreme Court to disqualify Tinubu, declare him as the legitimate president, and order his immediate inauguration. Additionally, he seeks an order compelling former President Buhari to return all salaries and emoluments received during his tenure.
This is not Owuru’s first legal challenge. Earlier in May 2023, the Court of Appeal fined him ₦40 million for filing what it described as a frivolous suit to prevent Tinubu’s inauguration. Owuru also attempted to halt Buhari’s swearing-in in 2019, claiming he won a “referendum” allegedly monitored by both foreign and local organizations.
The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter could have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape. Tinubu remains in office as the legal proceedings unfold.