NASS ELECTION PETITIONS TRIBUNAL ORDERS EKWEREMADU, NNAMANI, UTAZI AND SEVEN OTHERS TO BE SERVED BY SUBSTITUTED MEANS

The Governorship and House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Enugu has received 14 petitions from the February 16 and March 9, 2019 general election.

A check by Radio Nigeria at the Tribunal’s Secretariat in Enugu reveals that two petitions are challenging the declaration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the governorship election.

One of the petitions was filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ayogu Eze, while the other emanated from Action People’s party, (APP).

It could be recalled that the candidacy of Senator Ayogu Eze in the election was voided by an Abuja Federal High Court but restored by an appellate court two days to the election.

He consequently appealed for the postponement of the election in the State, citing the prevailing circumstance to enable them to prepare for the polls.

However, on the Election Day, Senator Eze announced his withdrawal from the race in protest and directed his supporters not to participate in the exercise.

Another petition was filed by the candidate of the APC for Enugu East II State Constituency, Mr. Somadina Ugwu, challenging the declaration of the People’s Democratic Party candidate as winner of the poll.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Enugu has granted exparte applications for substituted services on the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, and nine other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared winners of the February 16 National Assembly elections

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice C.H Ahuchaogu, after hearing the application, ordered the applicants to serve the respondents through the Chairman or any Principal Officer of the PDP in the State.

Those to be served through substituted means include Senators Chukwuka Utazi and Chimaroke Nnamani.

Others are Mr. Pat Asadu, Chief Toby Okechukwu, Mr. Martins Oke, Mr. Dennis Amadi, Prince Offor Chukwuegbo, Mr. Simon Atigwe and Mr. Nnolim Nnaji.

The petitioners are Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, Mr. Eugene Odo, Chief Lawrence Eze, Mr. Vin Martins Ilo, Mr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede and Mr. Jonathan Aniekezie.

Others are Mr. Joseph Mmamel, Mr. Nelson Anim and Mr. Okwudili Nwafor all of the APC.

Earlier, Counsel to the applicants, Mr. Ochiagha Uzor, who held brief for Mr. Sunday Ameh, told the Tribunal that it had been difficult to serve the various respondents with the processes.

Mr. Uzor said that the respondents were not seen at their known addresses, hence the application to serve them through substituted means.

OBINNA OGBUKA