Enugu: In LP’s Petitions Against Gov. Mbah, Others, Tribunal Reserves Judgement

Following the adoption of written addresses by the parties involved in the case on Wednesday, the Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal reserved judgement on the petitions contesting the election of Governor Peter Mbah.

During the Tribunal’s resumed proceedings, Justice Akano, who presided over the panel, reserved judgement over a date that he claimed will be properly shared with the parties.

Chijioke Edeoga, a candidate for the Labour Party, is contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s determination that Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party was duly elected governor of the State on March 18.

On Wednesday, Peter Mbah, the second respondent, was represented in court by his solicitors while the petitioners (Edeoga and the Labour Party) were present.

Dr. Mbah and PDP are the second and third respondents, respectively, to the petition, with INEC designated as the first respondent.

Peter Mbah’s attorney, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, adopted his remarks and asked the court to dismiss the Labour Party petitions as being unjustified and only an academic exercise.

The petitioners’ case, according to Anthony Ani, SAN, the Peoples Democratic Party’s legal representative, is nebulous and devoid of supporting data.

Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, lead counsel for the Labour Party and its governorship candidate, adopted his final address and pleaded with the tribunal to uphold his clients’ positions and provide the reliefs requested by his client.

He made this statement because Mr. Peter Mbah’s ineligibility to run for office at the time of the election as a result of his submission to INEC of a fake certificate of national service has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Among other grounds raised by the petitioner, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo cited the over-voting, non-use of BVAS, and suspected forging of the NYSC certificate as reasons why the case should be determined in favour of his client (Edeoga).