Tribunal dismisses motion challenging Oduah’s election

                                                                       Stella Oduah

The Legislative Election Petitions Tribunal for Anambra on Friday dismissed a motion which sought to tender 45 volumes of documents in the petition challenging the victory of Sen. Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra North).

The Justice Hezekiah Solanke-led three-member panel while dismissing the motion, said it was “unnecessary''.

The petitioner, Mr Dubem Obaze and his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), are challenging Oduah’s victory on grounds of alleged electoral fraud in the March 28 polls.

The dismissed documents were voter registers used for the conduct of the senatorial election in Onitsha North, Onitsha South and Ogbaru local government areas.

“We are puzzled at the rationale of the motion as we find it difficult to accept the petitioner’s intention in front loading the documents.

“The application is unnecessary and has only succeeded in delaying the time of this tribunal,” Solanke said in his ruling.

Meanwhile, parties in the petition have agreed on the number of witnesses to provide in proving their cases.

The petitioner’s counsel, Mr Chike Onyemenam, SAN, Oduah’s counsel, Mr Osita Nnadi, SAN, and PDP counsel, Mr Chuma Oguejiofor, all agreed to invite 15 witnesses each when hearing commences.

However, INEC counsel, Mr Jude Nnodum, SAN, said he would invite 11 witnesses.

Justice Solanke adjourned the petition till Aug. 3, for the commencement of hearing and hearing of issues for determination.

At the last sitting of July 14, the respondents’ counsel vehemently objected to the motion filed by Onyemenam on behalf of his client.