Complete Update Of Abia Governorship Election Petition Tribunal On The 11th Day Of August 2015

VENUE: COURT 3 UMUAHIA HIGH COURT , ABIA STATE

CASE BETWEEN DR ALEX OTTI THE PETITIONER ,DR OKEZIE IKPEAZU ABIA STATE GOVERNOR IST RESPONDENT , PDP AND INEC 2ND AND 3RD RESPONDENTS

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING ABBREVIATIONS :

P = Petitioner, R = Respondent, PW = Petitioner Witness, RW = Respondent Witness, J = Judge.

ATTENDANCE/APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL

Judges headed by W.B Wakali, (APGA): Lead counsel Chief Akin Olujinmi(SAN), Chief Awa Kalu(SAN) and 65 other lawyers

Chief Theo Nkeire is leading the Council for 1st Respondent Ikpeazu today and he is ably supported by Emeka Etiaba. Chief Paul Ananaba, SAN, lead counsel for the 2nd respondent is also present with his team of lawyers

S.O Hagla Esq leading the 3rd respondent counsel with his team of lawyers

BUSINESS OF THE DAY/ CROSS EXAMINATION OF PW3 to PW10

Petitioners asked to present witness presenting PW 4 (names withheld), 3 respondents asked all manner of questions and PW 4, maintained no election held in his ward.

PW 5 , from Isiala Ngwa North LGA and an APGA ward agent for Umunna Nsulu Ward 2. All the respondents took turns to ask all their questions.the witness, he maintained no election held in his ward because their was no election result sheet

Lead Counsel to the petitioner Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN) joined the queue to examine PW 5.

And he asked:What is the function you did not perform as a ward agent?

PW 5 responded: I didn't sign result because their was no result sheet. 

The respondents tried to stop that line of questioning, but the judge overruled and asked Chief Akin Olujimi to continue. Chief Akin Olujimi was able to establish the fact that election did not hold in ward 2 Umunna Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North LGA.

Immediately after Chief Akin Olujimi established the above fact, the respondents made an unfruitful attempt by applying for them to re examine PW 5 and the judge overruled them again.

PW 6 and 7 was now presented respectively and both still maintained that election never held. PW 6 was also a contestant for House of Assembly.

Before the end of session, Chief Akin Olujimi raised the issue of INEC not complying to the tribunal order again, the SAN told the court that APGA team requested for Osisioma LGA election materials

Court adjourns sitting . Today is another day. This publication came rather late. We will bring you the full details of today's sitting latest by 4;30pm today.

NOTES:

All the Petitioners Witnesses (PW) maintained that election did not take place in Osisioma and other areas due to unavailability of sensitive materials , etc.

INEC yet to provide Osisioma election materials as requested by the court for forensic inspection .

Analyzed By Igwe Samuel Obinna