TheNewsGuru

Tag: Tribunal

  • Labour Party raises concern ahead of PEPC judgement tomorrow

    Labour Party raises concern ahead of PEPC judgement tomorrow

    The Labour Party has raised certain concerns ahead of tomorrow’s ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

    In a statement by Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, the party questioned the rationale for the approval granted the live coverage of the judgement delivery.

    The party also flayed former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili over comments she allegedly made at a colloquium to mark the 25th anniversary of the elevation of a renowned jurist, JK Gadzama to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    While stressing that Odili’s comments were unguarded, the party stated that there are efforts by agents of the State to orchestrate problems and blame them on the political opposition.

    The statement reads: “It has become necessary for the Labour Party to draw the attention of the public and indeed democratic watchers to some unfolding developments in the country ahead of tomorrow’s ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC.

    “The unguarded statement from the former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili in Abuja last week at a colloquium to mark the 25th anniversary of the elevation of a renowned jurist, JK Gadzama to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and the boasting of some persons, serving Ministers and notable legislators about the outcome has left our party in shock.

    “When those who should know the importance of the sanctity of the judiciary descend to the arena of abusing it with their preemptive utterances just to show loyalty and support to their interests, we as a party see this as unfortunate and dangerous to our democratic journey as a nation.

    “We note also the needless lavish showering of praises on the legal counsels of both APC and Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the retired Justice when the gathering was not theirs. We find this extremely undignified of a renowned jurist who rose to the peak of her career in the country’s Apex court and who as the Chairperson of the body of benchers, should be at the forefront of defending the virtuousness of the courts.

    “Also curious to every discerning mind watching the unfolding events in Nigeria since the February 25th Presidential election is the fact that the PEPC that refused live television coverage of the hearings of the petition, and is now anxious to have the conclusion beamed live.

    “What is it that has happened between the hearing period and the delivery of the judgment that the live coverage which they claimed was a policy issue changed suddenly at the delivery point?

    “We are aware of the efforts of the agents of the States to orchestrate problems and blame them on the political opposition. We wish to emphasize that it is the right of the people in a democracy to demonstrate and the obligation of state security agents to protect the demonstrators and those not demonstrating.

    “Meanwhile, we implore Nigerians to remain calm and peaceful, abide by the rule of law, and understand that this matter has not reached its logical and final conclusion.

    “Our concern as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s project especially the democratic evolution is that what is being destroyed with all these clever by half playing on people’s intelligence is Nigeria as a nation not necessarily an individual.

    “Anybody who loves this country should appreciate the importance of due process and the rule of law because, without it, this country is going nowhere”.

  • Oshiomhole wins at election tribunal

    Oshiomhole wins at election tribunal

    The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin the Edo State capital  has upheld the victory of Sen. Adams Oshiomhole in the Feb. 25 Edo North Senatorial District election.

    Similarly, the tribunal also upheld the election of Representative,  Ihonvbere Julius of the APC,

    Julius is representing Owan Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives.

    The three-man tribunal, led by Justice O.A. Chuioke, dismissed the petition filed by a former Senator, Francis Alimikhena of the PDP for lack of merit.

    Alimikhena, through his counsel, Mr Rasak Isenalume, had petitioned against the former governor of the state, Sen Oshiomhole, alongside INEC and APC, in the suit NO: EPT/ED/SEN/02/2023.

    The 1st petitioner Alimikhena, in his petition, asked the tribunal to declare null and void the election of Oshiomhole over non compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, as required by law and declare him winner of the election.

    He also urged the tribunal to nullify the election of the former APC National Chairman on alleged non transmission of election results through the use of BIVAS machine to IREV Portal

    Alimikhena, on the alternative, prayed the tribunal to order for a rerun of the election owing to substantial non-compliance with the law.

    But in their separate responses, counsels to the respondents urged the tribunal to dismiss the case of the petitioners for lack of merit.

    Delivering the unanimous judgement on behalf of the tribunal, its Chairman, Justice Alero Akeredolu, held that the petitioners failed woefully to prove their case, adding that they could not rely on weakness or strength of the respondents to prove their cases against Oshiomhole.

    Justice Akeredolu also held that the petitioners failed to tender before the tribunal any relevant document to prove a case of non-compliance as contained in their petitions.

    The Tribunal, therefore, dismissed the petition against Oshiomhole in its entirety

    The tribunal also dismissed the petition filed by Jimoh Iruokhaime Ijiegbai Ojeiu and PDP, against the INEC declaration of Ihonvbere as winner of the Owan Federal Constituency.

    The tribunal also agreed with the argument of the lead counsel to Ihonvbere, Mr Ehiogie West-Idahosa (SAN), that Ojeiu’s petition failed in its entirety.

    Ojeiu and the PDP are 1st and 2nd petitioners in the petition marked EPT/ED/HR/03/2023.

  • Judgement day: key facts about the five judges deciding Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi’s tribunal fate

    Judgement day: key facts about the five judges deciding Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi’s tribunal fate

    The Presidential Election Petition Court has confirmed Wednesday 6th September as the judgment date for the three petitions challenging the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.

    The confimation follows a sequence of events that unfolded into a legal battle after the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the February presidential election on March 1.

    In the aftermath of this declaration, five political parties and their respective candidates, who were contenders in the election, submitted petitions challenging the legitimacy of Tinubu’s victory.

    These petitions raised critical concerns regarding the election’s integrity and the authenticity of the results declared by INEC and hearing commenced on May 8.

    Chaired by the presiding justice, Justice Haruna Tsammani, the tribunal’s responsibility is to examine and resolve petitions linked to the presidential election.

    In the weeks leading up to the judgment day, Nigerians initiated a campaign urging the courts to uphold justice, with the trending hashtag #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary.

    With barely 24hours to the delivery of the long awaited judgement, some analysts say the court’s decision could be a make or mar for the country, but human rights lawyer and activist Femi Falana, has cautioned that the verdict delivered on Wednesday is not final.

    Falana said: “We have been having election petitions since the colonial era, but none has attracted such level of blackmail and intimidation of the judiciary.

    “I am worried that people give the impression that everything ends with the judgement of the Court of Appeal, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. Any party that loses on Wednesday still has the opportunity to appeal to the Supreme Court.”

    As the nation awaits the outcome of the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Court, here’s a closer look at the five judges who will deliver what is set to become a landmark judgement:

    1. Justice Haruna Tsammani – Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal
    Justice Tsammani, born on November 23, 1959, hails from Bauchi State. He boasts a distinguished legal career, with an LL.B degree from Ahmadu Bello University and a BL from the Nigerian Law School. Appointed as a High Court judge in Bauchi State in 1998, he later ascended to the Court of Appeal in 2010. With 24 years as a judge, Justice Tsammani is the longest-serving among the panel members. Remarkably, he delivered a key judgment affirming Governor Yahaya Bello’s second-term election in Kogi State.

    2. Justice Abba Mohammed
    Born on February 19, 1961, Justice Abba Mohammed hails from Kano State. He earned his LL.B degree from Ahmadu Bello University and his BL certificate from the Nigerian Law School. In 2010, he was appointed a judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, and his dedication led to his promotion to the Court of Appeal in 2021. Justice Mohammed chaired the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Tribunal in 2019.

    3. Justice Stephen Adah
    The presiding Justice of the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Stephen Adah, was born on June 13, 1957, in Kogi State. He completed his LL.B degree at Ahmadu Bello University and earned his BL from the Nigerian Law School. His judicial journey began as a Federal High Court judge in 1998, with subsequent elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2012. Justice Adah played a crucial role in granting Obi and Atiku’s motions during the 2019 election petitions, allowing them to serve their petitions to Bola Tinubu via substituted means.

    4. Justice Mistura Bolaji-Yusuf
    The sole female member of the panel, Justice Misitura Bolaji-Yusuf, was born on August 7, 1959, and hails from Oyo State. Her legal education includes an LL.B degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and a BL from the Nigerian Law School. She commenced her judicial career as a Judge of the High Court of Oyo State in 1997 before her elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2014.

    5. Justice Boloukuoromo Ugo
    At 57, Justice Boloukuoromo Ugo is the youngest among the panel members. He originates from Bayelsa State and obtained his LL.B degree from the University of Calabar. Following his BL certificate from the Nigerian Law School, he was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Bayelsa State in 2006, later ascending to the Court of Appeal in 2018.

  • Presidential election petitions: Why PEPT will allow live TV coverage for delivery of judgement

    Presidential election petitions: Why PEPT will allow live TV coverage for delivery of judgement

    The Presidential Election Petition Court has confirmed Wednesday as the date for judgment in the three petitions challenging the outcome of the  2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Mr Umar Bangari confirmed the date in a statement made available to judiciary correspondents on Monday.

    According to Bangari, everything has been put in place to ensure that the judgment in the three petitions pending before the court is delivered hitch free.

    The three petitions are filed by the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Atiku, the Labour Party and it’s Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi and that of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

    Bangari alluded to the fact that adequate security had been put in place and that only the invited members of political parties and the general public would be allowed into the courtroom. This he said was to avoid congestion and security breaches.

    He also said that media houses that wished to televise the judgment live would be allowed to do so but at no cost to the court.

    “In a bid to promote transparency and openness, these judgments will be televised live by interested Television Stations for the public to follow.

    “Access to the Court premises will be strictly on accreditation. Only accredited individuals, including Counsel and representatives of Political Parties, will be granted access into the Courtroom.

    “Interested members of the public are advised to watch proceedings from their television sets.,” the statement reads.

    TNG reports that on June 23, Abubakar closed his case after calling 27 out of the 100 witnesses and tendered electoral documents. Obi called 13 witnesses.

    The legal team of President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima also closed defence in the petition filed by Obi after calling one witness.

    The legal team of Tinubu had proposed to call 39 witnesses, but closed its defence after its witness in chief, the Senate Majority Leader, Michael Bamidele testified.

    Led in evidence by Tinubu’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, Bamidele told the court that the votes secured by Tinubu in Kano state were not properly recorded and Tinubu had a shortfall of10,929 votes.

    The two petitions, marked CA/PEPC/05/2023 and CA/PEPC/03/2023, were brought before the court.

    While adopting their final written address, Atiku and the PDP, through their team of lawyers, led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, urged the court to declare that President Tinubu was not qualified to contest the presidential poll that held on February 25.

    They prayed the court to nullify the entire outcome of the presidential election and order a re-run or fresh contest.

    Atiku and his party alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, despite receiving over N355 billion for the conduct of the election, deliberately by-passed all the technological innovations it introduced for the purpose of the 2023 general elections.

    They contended that INEC acted in breach of the amended Electoral Act, when it refused to electronically transmit results of the presidential election.

    “On the issue of transmission of election results based on new provisions in the Electoral Act, we are all in agreement, including the INEC, that there is a new regime in election management.

    The essence of the innovation was to enhance transparency in the collation of results, which was an area that we usually had problems and not the actual election, and secondly, to enhance the integrity of result declared.

    “We agree that INEC had an option and we brought a video evidence by INEC Chairman showing that the electoral body indeed chose an option.

    “It is our contention and it is here in evidence that witnesses admitted that results from the National Assembly election were transmitted but that of the presidential election was not.

    “My lords, in a situation like this, the burden shifts on INEC to explain. It is not on the Petitioner to explain why there was such technical glitch.

    ”We urge this court to hold that there was a deliberate non-compliance. The substantiality of the non-compliance lies on the national spread of the non transmission of results. It was national and not limited to certain polling units,” Uche added.

    While adopting his own final brief of argument, Obi and the LP, through their lawyer, Mr Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, argued that there was no glitch during the election but an intentional act to sabotage the outcome of the poll.

    Uzoukwu, SAN, while calling for the removal of President Tinubu, insisted that “an election where over 18,088 blurred results were uploaded to INEC’s IReV portal, is certainly a flawed election.”

    Meanwhile, in the two case, INEC, President Tinubu, Shettima and the All Progressives Congress, APC- through their respective lawyers, prayed the court to dismiss the petitions as grossly lacking in merit.

    INEC’s legal team, led by Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, maintained that the presidential election was not only validly conducted, but was done in substantial compliance with all the relevant laws.

    The electoral body argued that the petitioners misconstrued and totally misunderstood the purpose of the technology it introduced for the 2023 general elections.

    It told the court that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, device was introduced for the authentication and verification of voters and for transmission of results from the polling units to the IReV portal.

    INEC’s lawyer said there was evidence to show that the commission went to great length to ensure that the technology functioned as designed.

    “The applications used on the BVAS device were developed in-house and tested again and again, both for performance and reliability.

    “The intention of the 1st Respondent to conduct a world-class election is clear from the evidence that was placed before this court,” he insisted

    INEC told the court that it was illogical for the Petitioners to claim that a candidate must secure 25 per cent votes in the FCT to be declared winner of a presidential election.

    It argued that such argument would run contrary to the spirit and intendment of the drafters of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, adding that FCT ought to be regarded as the 37th state of the federation that is without a special status during elections.

    Similarly, President Tinubu and VP Shettima, while adopting their written address, urged the court to dismiss all the petitions.

    Addressing the court through their team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, the duo, said it would not be in public interest for the court to set aside the decision of the electorates that led to their victory at the poll.

    Arguing that the petitioners completely failed to discharge the burden of proof that was required of them by the law, Chief Olanipekun, SAN, further accused both Atiku and Obi of merely dumping documents before the court.

  • Tribunal upholds election of ex-Niger governor

    Tribunal upholds election of ex-Niger governor

    The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the election of Abubakar Sani-Bello as Senator representing Niger North Senatorial District.

    Justice Angela Otaluka delivered the judgement in Minna on Wednesday.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sani-Bello of the All Progressive Congress (APC) winner of the election held on Feb. 25.

    Sani-Bello, the immediate former governor of Niger, defeated his closest rival Shehu Abdullahi, the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Abdullahi, however approached the tribunal challenging the declaration of Sani-Bello as winner, on the premise that  the election was marred by irregularities, including multiple voting.

    In his petition, Abdullahi prayed the court through his counsel Mr Hussaini Garba to nullify Sani-Bello’s election and declare him winner, having scored the highest number of valid votes.

    In the over three hours judgement, Otaluka said that the tribunal, having reviewed the whole proceedings, ruled that the petitioner had failed in totality to prove the issue of over voting raised in the petition.

    She also said that the petition lacked merit and dismissed it in its entirety.

    The tribunal uphold the election of Sani-Bello, and directed the petitioner to give N250,000 as cost to the respondent.

    Similarly, the tribunal has upheld the election of Sen. Peter Ndalikali of the PDP, representing Niger South Senatorial District.

    Sen. Mohammed Bima of the APC had filed a petition against Ndalikali’s election, claiming that he scored the highest number of valid votes during the Feb. 25 national assembly election.

    Bima prayed the tribunal to nullify the election of Ndalikali and declare him the rightful winner of the election.

    Otaluka while dismissing the petition, declared that the allegations raised by Bima were not substantiated, and dismissed the petition for lack of merit.

  • Former Reps Minority Whip told to accept defeat

    Former Reps Minority Whip told to accept defeat

    A coalition of youth groups has called on Mr Gideon Gwani, the defeated PDP candidate for Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, to withdraw his appeal against the Tribunal judgement that sealed his fate.

    Gwani, the immediate past House Minority Whip, had filed an appeal after the tribunal affirmed the victory of Donatus Mathew of the Labour Party at the Feb. 25 National Assembly election.

    The youths made the call on Tuesday during a peaceful march to the three chiefdoms in Kaura where they urged the traditional ruler to prevail on Gwani to sheathe his sword.

    One of the youth leaders, Mr Francis Peter, co-ordinator of Kaura Integrity Youths, said the court case was distracting  Mathew from delivering the dividends of democracy to his constituents.

    Peter argued that the large sums of money being expended on the litigation by both parties could have been channeled into development projects in the constituency.

    “The court case is not allowing our representative to focus on the job at hand.

    “The resources that should be used to develop our constituency are now being used to pursue the case in court.

    “We want our traditional institutions to intervene so that the matter will be resolved internally. We don’t want the courts anymore,” he added

    Also speaking, Mr Ashinge Kanga, spokesperson of Kaura Youth Coalition, noted that having served for 16 years, it was only fair for Gwani to give the youths a chance.

    “Given his wealth of legislative experience, we expected Gwani to give guidance and direction to the new member instead of dragging him to court.”

    On his part, Mr Emmanuel Bagu, coordinator of Kaura Concerned Youths, thanked Gwani for his contributions to development of the area over the years and urged him to throw his weight behind his successor.

    Bagu maintained that while Gwani was within his constitutional right to appeal the verdict of the tribunal, the collective will and interest of the Kaura people should always come first.

    “We are grateful for his contribution over the years but now is the time for him to get behind the new lawmaker.

    “We understand that it’s his right to appeal but we want him to have a rethink and drop this case for the good of everyone,” he stated

    In their separate remarks, the representatives of the Takad, Kagoro and Moroa chiefdoms in the area promised to look into the issue.

  • JUST IN: Presidential Election Petition Tribunal fixes date to deliver judgement on September 16

    JUST IN: Presidential Election Petition Tribunal fixes date to deliver judgement on September 16

    Four weeks after it adjourned for judgement, the Presidential Election Tribunal has finally fixed a date to make public its judgment.

    A competent source disclosed on Sunday, that the five-member tribunal which sat at the Court of Appeal complex in Abuja from May 8 to August 1, has agreed on September 16 as the judgment date.

    Incidentally, that date is the deadline for the tribunal to deliver its judgment and the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Details shortly…

  • Tribunal reserves judgment in Sokoto governorship tussle

    Tribunal reserves judgment in Sokoto governorship tussle

    The Sokoto Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in the petition against Gov. Ahmed Aliyu and Dep. Gov. Idris Gobir, filed by Sa’idu Umar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Haruna Mshelia, reserved judgment after parties adopted their final written addresses on Saturday, adding that a date would be communicated to parties in September.

    The Petitioner, Umar is challenging the election of Gov. Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gobir over alleged non qualification and electoral fraud during the March 18 governorship election.

    At the sitting, lead Counsel to the petitioner, Aare Akinboro SAN, urged the Tribunal to consider the evidences and witnesses from party agents that proved gross irregularities in the election, mostly marred by violence.

    Akinboro argued that more importantly, the evidence that showed discrepancy in Gov. Aliyu’s secondary school and university certificates that were different from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented documents.

    He prayed the tribunal to take cognisance of the School Register of Town Primary School, Sabon Birni, from 1986-1987 and a letter from Town Model Primary School Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

    He highlighted that records of all registered schools in Sabon Birni Local Government from Federal Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Local Government Education Authority and other related exhibits should be perused.

    He added that non of the government agencies had records of existence of Model Primary School  as stated by Gobir to be the school that issued him primary certificate.

    Akinboro argued that the petitioners had successfully established facts in proof of all the grounds as 32 competent witnesses that comprised INEC officials, State PDP chairman, headmaster of the Town Model Primary School Sabon Birni, and others were presented and admitted documents.

    He further urged the tribunal to dismiss all the preliminary objections on competency to institute the case.

    He also urged the tribunal to disregard objections on the admissibility of documents tendered as they were relevant and germane.

    The petitioners counsel said based on the submissions, the respondents at the time of the election, were not qualified to contest the election and prayed that by virtue of the non qualification, votes were wrongfully attributed to them.

    According to him, respondents abandoned facts as they presented two defence witnesses who were unable to counter or prove otherwise the facts presented by 32 witnesses and bundle of evidences.

    He prayed the tribunal to void Gov. Aliyu’s election and declare Umar the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    Petitioners also prayed the tribunal to mandate INEC to issue a new certificate of return to the petitioner as the duly elected Governor of Sokoto State, having scored the majority of the lawful votes cast or order for another election, excluding the respondents.

    The respondents counsel, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, also adopted their final written addresses, disagreeing with arguments and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

    Olanipekun averred that relevant documents and right witnesses have been presented along guiding laws.

    APC Counsel, Mr Hassan Liman SAN, argued that “mere variation of name does not validate candidacy as arrangement of names does deter Gov. Aliyu’s  qualification”.

    The respondents prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition and uphold the election of Gov. Aliyu and Gobir.

  • Delta Guber: Tribunal reserves judgement in Omo-Agege’s petition

    Delta Guber: Tribunal reserves judgement in Omo-Agege’s petition

    The Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Thursday, reserved judgement on the petition brought before it by the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

    Omo-Agege, in his petition, is challenging the declaration of the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, as winner of the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election in the State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

    The three-man tribunal headed by Justice C.O Ahuchaogu
    adjourned for judgement after parties had adopted their final written addresses.

    Ahuchaogu said the date for the judgment would be communicated to the parties and their counsels.

    Counsel for the first respondent, INEC, Prof. John Abugu, said the commission had adopted in it’s entirety, a 30-page written address it had filed and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lack of merit.

    Counsel for Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Damian Dodo, SAN, said the second respondent wholely adopts all the arguments in his final written address in urging the tribunal to dismiss the petition.

    While saying that the petition was bound to fail, Dodo argued that the nature and character of the allegations made by the petitioner were such that the “witnesses called by the petitioner could not and have not even with the documents brought to the court prove the petition.

    “Petitions by their nature must be proved by evidence; this, the petitioners have failed to do”.

    Counsel to the third respondent, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Ekeme Ohwovoriole, SAN, in adopting the party’s written address, said the petition was based on speculations and deserved to be dismissed.

    On his part, Counsel to Omo-Agege, Dr. Alex Izinyon, SAN, while adopting the petitioner’s written address, urged the tribunal to hold that the petitioner proved the petition and therefore entitled to the reliefs sought.

    Iziyon argued that the petitioner, have by the nature of the pleadings and the documents tendered proved his case and urged the tribunal to declare the petitioner as winner of the election.

  • Deputy Speaker excited over judgement upholding victory

    Deputy Speaker excited over judgement upholding victory

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has commended the judgement of an Umuahia High Court that upheld his victory at the 2023 National Assembly elections.

    A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu, quoted Kalu as saying that he had been vindicated.

    “I have never doubted the ability of the judiciary at any level to do justice to issues. My confidence in them has always been unwavering.

    “It has, once again, vindicated me on this matter and also upheld my mandate as the elected representative of the people of Bende Federal Constituency of Abia. I am grateful,” Kalu said.

    Recall that the candidate of Labour Party in the National Assembly elections, Mr Frank Chinasa, had petitioned the tribunal seeking the nullification of Kalu’s election on the account of alleged inconsistency in his name.

    However, Justice O. A. Chijioke, while delivering his judgement on the matter on August 25, 2021 ruled in favour of Kalu and subsequently awarded a cost to the petitioner for wasting the time of the court in a frivolous suit.

    Kalu expressed immense gratitude to the judiciary for recognising that he followed due process and other extant laws to validate his name.

    The lawmaker thanked the people of Bende Federal Constituency on whose mandate he stands elected as member of the House of Representatives.

    The deputy speaker promised not to take the people’s mandate and the demands of his current office for granted.

    He, however, called on his “political detractors”to shun frivolities, accept his rights under the extant laws, embrace the will of God and the verdict of the tribunal as well as that of the people of Bende.

    Kalu invited the candidates of LP to join him in the tasks of pushing good legislations for the good of the country.