Umeh vs Ekwunife: Tribunal adjourns case today, June 23

ELECTION Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka, at a pre-trial session of the petition filed by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), senatorial candidate in the last National Assembly Elections, Chief Victor Umeh against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Hon Uche Ekwunife and three others, adjourned hearing of the case today, June 23.

  Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Nayai Aganaba adjourned the case on the grounds that the counsel to one of the respondents was unavoidably absent.

  Addressing the counsels to the various parties involved in the case, Justice Aganaba cautioned them to avoid acts that would delay proceedings on the petitions before the tribunal.

  He made it clear  that the tribunal would not at this stage entertain applications that would challenge paragraphs on hearing the merits of the substantiative petitions.

  He urged them to agree on the number of witnesses to present, number of days for cross-exmination of witnesses, time limit for cross examination and presentation of documents to be admitted.

  Counsel representing the petitioner (Chief Victor Umeh), Patrick Ikwuoto (SAN), told the tribunal that he would present 10 witnesses to testify before it as well as invite a witness from INEC.

  He further stated that he would tender 11 sets of documents before the tribunal.

  The petitioner, Chief Victor Umeh had in suit no EPT/Awk/s/16/2015, prayed the tribunal to declare him winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial election in the last National Assembly Election