The Abia State Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting at Umuahia, on Saturday, struck out an oral motion made by counsel to Nkwonta Christian to have 17 additional witnesses as part of defence in the petition filed before the Tribunal by the Ukwa East/Ukwa West All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the 2023 general elections, Barrister Nnadozie Okpokiri.
While opposing the motion on July 29, 2023, Okpokiri’s counsel, Achinike Godwin William – Wobodo, argued that it breached the Electoral Act and Guidelines, as they failed to front-load the request for additional witnesses in their response to the petition filed by his client, adding that the action was tantamount to an after-thought and an ambush.
After listening to the counsel to the second defendant, Nkwonta Christian, the Judged adjourned for ruling, which was given on Saturday, July 5, 2023.
Consequently, both Nkwonta Christian and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have one witness each for their defence.
Okpokiri, who had called 16 witnesses, is asking for, among other reliefs, the following:
1. That it may be determined and thus declared that the election of Member representating Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, which was purportedly held on the 25th of February, 2023 and purportedly declared on the 26th of February, 2023, and the return of Nkwonta Christian, are unlawful, null and void by acts and / or omissions by INEC which violate and breach provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, Manual for election and the guidelines,
2. An Order nullifying and setting aside the National Assembly Election for the Member of House of Representatives for the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency of Abia State,
3. An Order that a fresh election for the position of Member of House of Representative for the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency of Abia State be conducted by the INEC.
The matter was adjourned till Monday, August 7, 2023.
