The court’s affirmation has ended weeks of denials by Benson on the December 9, 2015 judgment in a case filed by candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state House of Assembly election, Mr. Ebifaghe Orunimighe. The court on that day declared Benson’s election null and void. Benson refused to relinquish the Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 seat and his speakership position, insisting that the written judgment was different from the court’s records of proceedings which dismissed the appeal. He continued to retain his seat and also chaired the House that received the state’s 2016 Appropriation Bill from the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson. But on February 10, the court ruling on a fresh application filed by Benson validated its earlier judgment that nullified the election of the former speaker.]]>