The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had on Tuesday, dismissed the appeal filed by Dino Melaye, challenging the victory of Senator Smart Adeyemi as winner of Kogi West Senatorial District election.

The judgement has brought to end the legal battle to determine the rightful winner of the senatorial election.

A three-man panel of the court unanimously resolved all seven issues, identified for determination, against the appellant (Melaye).

The panel upheld the judgment delivered on June 10, 2020 by the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, (which sat in Abuja), which affirmed the declaration of Adeyemi as winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The appellate court, which struck out Adeyemi’s preliminary objection, awarded N50, 000 cost against Melaye and in favour of the respondents.

Reacting to the judgement, Dino Melaye said even though he lost the election, it does not erase the rigging, bloodletting, killings and violence that dominated the election.

“There will be a new order and the judgement did not in anyway erase the rigging,bloodletting, killings and violence that dominated the election.

“I thank the ever courageous people of Kogi West who truly voted for me. I love you all and God bless you. God be praised forever and my Faith in Him remain constant,” Melaye said.