USAfrica: Otti vs Ikpeazu, election tribunal grants Otti inspection of ballot papers, card readers, sensitive electoral materials.
The battle over who ultimately will govern Abia State of Nigeria moved, formally, today to the 2015 governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia. USAfricaonline.com is reporting that the tribunal has granted an order to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate in the April elections in Abia state, Dr. Alex Otti, to inspect some electoral materials used for the elections.
Dr. Otti insists in an interview with USAfrica that “there was widespread rigging and falsification of results by the ruling PDP. With accurate and factual count, I should have been declared the rightful winner of the 2015 election.” Hence, counsel to the petitioner (Otti), Chris Uche (SAN), moved an exparte motion praying the tribunal during its inaugural sitting to inspect ballot papers, card readers and form EC8G and other sensitive electoral materials. He also moved another exparte motion to serve the 1st respondent PDP’s candidate Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu through substituted means.
The chairman of the tribunal Justice Usman Bwala in his ruling, granted both prayers and ordered that the first respondent, Dr. Ikpeazu be served using substituted means.The Inspection was fixed for 27th, 28th and 30th of May, 2015.
Reacting to the ruling, the counsel to the petitioner, Chris Uche (SAN), said the tribunal granted them three days to inspect the materials at INEC office in Umuahia, adding that their team will be bringing, experts for forensic analysis as well as statisticians.
The chairman of the tribunal had during the inaugural sitting admonished all parties in the case to stay clear of them throughout the period of the sitting to enable them discharge their duties without interference.
Ikpeazu, having been declared winner by the INEC, is set to be sworn in on May 29, 2015.
Court was adjourned to 11th June 2015 for mention/pre-trial. USAfrica and IgboEvents will bring breaking news and insights to the case.
