Supreme Court Dismisses INEC’s Appeal Against SDP, Awards N2m Cost in Landmark ‘Academic’ Ruling

Abuja, Dec. 19, 2025 (NAN) In a decisive ruling that reinforces judicial restraint on moot issues, the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday dismissed an appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The apex court not only declared the appeal lacking in merit but also imposed a cost of N2 million against INEC’s lawyer, underscoring the court’s disapproval of pursuing litigation deemed an “academic exercise.”

A five-member panel of the court, led by Justice Mohammed Idris, unanimously held that there was no live issue left for adjudication. The core of the dispute—the inclusion of SDP candidates in by-elections across 12 states—had been rendered obsolete because the elections had already been held and winners sworn into office.