The tribunal was billed to deliver its verdict on the election petition filed by the APC candidate following the return of Ukiwe as the winner of the election by the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC).
However, as the parties and their supporters gathered at the tribunal for the verdict, the Chairman of the tribunal, instead of delivering the judgment, started reading a threat letter allegedly sent to him by a cult group.
The Magistrate announced his withdrawal from the matter saying that he was accused of receiving N25 million bribe to deliver judgment in favour of the APC candidate.
Pointblanknews.com gathered that the threat letter which was not signed or dated contained the symbols of the said cult group and was addressed to Magistrate Nnaemeka Orji.
“You risked the wrath of her Ricasia Majesty should you deliver a judgment considered as injustice. We shall not hesitate to strike you and members of your family physically and spiritually if you decide to trade(sic) on the part(sic) of dispensing unjust justice,” the letter read.
After withdrawing from the matter, Magistrate Orji said he was going to return the case file to the Chief Judge of Abia State.
The APC candidate said he will not be deterred in his quest to reclaim his mandate, insisting that the bribery allegation by the PDP was frivolous and diversionary.
Lawyer to APC candidate, Barrister Perfect Okorie described the development as delay tactics which would not be allowed to stop his client from obtaining justice.
Okorie boasted that they have a strong case, stressing that justice would prevail as the judgment will be delivered.