Appeal Court reserves judgment in Rivers guber poll

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The Court of Appeal, Abuja on Thursday reserved judgment in an appeal filed by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers challenging his removal by the election petitions tribunal for the state.

The court of appeal panel presided over by Justice Dongban Memsem held that it would communicate the judgment date to parties in the appeal.

“Ruling on all motions raised by the parties and judgment is hereby reserved. The date will be communicated to all parties,’’ she said.

Earlier, Wike’s lawyer, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) had adopted his written address and asked the court to grant the appeal.

He urged the court to upturn the decision of the Suleiman Ambursa’s led tribunal which nullified the election of his client and ordered INEC to conduct a re-run election within 90 days.

Ukala argued that the tribunal erred in law in its decision and also failed to give his client fair hearing.

“Some of the motion we raised were never considered by the tribunal before it gave its judgment.

“The failure to give fair hearing to our client rendered the entire process at the tribunal a nullity.

“We urged the court to allow the appeal in its entirety and dismiss the objections raised by the respondents,’’ he said.

Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) who represented the Peoples Democratic Party urged the court to uphold the appeal in the interest of justice.

Counsel to Dakuku Peterside, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, however, asked the court to dismiss the appeal.

It will be recalled that the tribunal had nullified Wike’s election following the petition filed by Peterside.

Chief Akinlolu Olujimi (SAN), counsel to Peterside argued that most of the issues raised in the appeal did not emanate from the judgment of the tribunal.

He urged the court to look into the issues raised at the tribunal and flow from the tribunal’s decision.

Speaking in the same vein, counsel to APC, Yusuf Ali (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

Source: The Nation