In a decisive ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court of Nigeria imposed a N5 million fine on former presidential candidate Ambrose Albert Owuru for filing what the court termed a “frivolous suit” against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The unanimous judgment, delivered by Justice Uwani Musa Aba-Aji, not only dismissed Owuru’s claims but also barred him from filing similar suits in the future.
Owuru, who contested the 2019 presidential election under the Hope Democratic Party (HDP), had sought Tinubu’s removal from office, claiming he was the rightful winner of the 2019 presidential election. The court’s ruling marks another chapter in a long series of legal battles brought by Owuru, which have been consistently dismissed by various courts.
A Pattern of Frivolous Litigation
Monday’s proceedings showcased Owuru’s persistence in pursuing his claims, despite repeated court dismissals. The Supreme Court noted that this was the fourth time Owuru had brought such a case before it. The presiding judge expressed strong disapproval of Owuru’s conduct, calling it “unbecoming of a lawyer with over 40 years at the Bar.”
A History of Dismissed Cases
- In 2022, the Court of Appeal imposed a N40 million fine on Owuru for filing similar suits against Tinubu, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and former President Muhammadu Buhari.
- In his latest suit, SC/CV/667/2023, Owuru petitioned the Supreme Court to disqualify Tinubu based on allegations of:
- Non-qualification to hold the office of President.
- Usurpation of the presidency, which Owuru claimed to have won in 2019.
- Alleged forfeiture of $460,000 in the U.S. over drug-related offenses.
- Claims that Tinubu is an agent of the CIA, allegedly disqualifying him from holding public office in Nigeria.
Supreme Court’s Ruling: A Clear Warning Against Abuse of Legal Process
The Supreme Court, in its judgment, dismissed Owuru’s arguments as baseless and a waste of judicial resources. Justice Aba-Aji stated:
“The conduct of the plaintiff is unbecoming of a lawyer of over 40 years, as he claims to be. This court will no longer entertain such frivolous suits that undermine the credibility of our judicial system.”
The Court ordered Owuru to pay N5 million to Tinubu and directed its Registry to reject any future “frivolous originating summons” from Owuru. This move is intended to deter similar abuse of the court process.
The Allegations Against Tinubu
In his suit, Owuru sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to:
- Invoke Section 157 of the 1999 Constitution to disqualify Tinubu for allegedly being under the control of foreign authorities.
- Remove Tinubu from office and declare Owuru as the rightful President of Nigeria.
- Order Owuru’s immediate inauguration to reclaim his alleged “usurped mandate.”
Owuru claimed his 2019 election victory was unlawfully denied due to a mix-up in court hearing dates that prevented the Supreme Court from hearing his case at the time. He further accused Tinubu of forfeiting $460,000 to U.S. authorities in connection to an alleged drug-related offense and of acting as an agent for the CIA.
However, the court dismissed these allegations as speculative, lacking evidence, and outside its purview.
Legal Community Reacts
The legal community has widely criticized Owuru’s actions as an abuse of court processes. Many legal experts view the Supreme Court’s decision as a necessary step to uphold the integrity of the judiciary.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana remarked:
“This judgment is a strong warning against individuals who exploit the judicial system for personal gain or to pursue baseless claims.”
Another prominent lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), described the ruling as a reminder that the courts are not a platform for political theatrics:
“Frivolous litigation undermines the rule of law. This judgment rightly reinforces the need for responsibility among legal practitioners.”
Implications of the Supreme Court’s Judgment
1. Strengthening Judicial Integrity
By imposing sanctions on Owuru and barring him from filing similar suits, the Supreme Court has sent a clear message: the judiciary will not tolerate the misuse of legal processes for unsubstantiated claims.
2. Dissuading Political Posturing
This ruling aims to deter other political actors from pursuing frivolous lawsuits that distract from governance and waste judicial resources.
3. Protecting Tinubu’s Presidency
The dismissal of Owuru’s suit bolsters Tinubu’s legitimacy as Nigeria’s President, reaffirming the judiciary’s commitment to upholding electoral outcomes.
What’s Next for Ambrose Owuru?
Following multiple legal setbacks and mounting fines, Owuru’s options appear increasingly limited. The financial penalties imposed by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court underscore the high cost of pursuing baseless litigation. Legal analysts suggest that further attempts by Owuru to challenge Tinubu’s presidency are unlikely to gain traction in the courts.
Conclusion: A Legal System Upheld
The Supreme Court’s decision to fine Ambrose Albert Owuru N5 million and bar him from filing further frivolous suits underscores the judiciary’s role as a guardian of justice and due process. While the ruling protects President Tinubu’s mandate, it also reaffirms the court’s commitment to deterring the misuse of legal channels for political grandstanding.
As Nigeria continues to navigate complex political terrain, this judgment serves as a reminder that the courts are a place for genuine legal redress, not unfounded claims or personal vendettas.