The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka on Monday dismissed the
application of Mr Nkem Ekweozor seeking the relisting of his petition
against Sen. Uche Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ekwuozor who was the candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance in
the Feb. 23 senatorial election for Anambra Central had approached the
tribunal on Aug. 5 to seek the relisting of his petition which was
struck out in April.
The petitioner had filed his petition on March 18 but was later struck
out about month later.
In his petition, the applicant urged the tribunal to upturn the
declaration of Ekwunife as the winner of the poll, claiming that the
election was marred by irregularities and did not comply with the
Electoral Act of 2010 (as amended).
He urged the tribunal to nullify the election and order a fresh
exercise.
But ruling on the application , Hon. Justice Esther Haruna, chairman of
the tribunal said Ekwuozor did not demonstrate seriousness on having the
petition relisted.
The Judge ruled that seeking relisting of a petition that was struck out
in April four months later did not depict the serious nature of
litigation business, adding that he should have applied immediately.
It held that it amounted to abuse of court process and dismissed the
application.
Ekweozor said he would appeal the ruling because he was convinced he had
strong case against Ekwunife’s election.