The National Assembly election petition tribunal sitting in Awka has decleard that the House committee chairman on Environment Hon Uche Ekwunife was not dully elected and retuned by INEC and called for re election in some areas affected, like Enugu Ukwu ward one, Nimo ward 1 and 2 , Umunnachi and Ezumezu village square.
The judgement delivered under tensed security autmosphere, started by 12 noon and was read by Hon Justice Y Mukhtar.
The Hon justice Onajite Kuejubola three men tribunal held that there are substantial evidence for the Tribunal to arrive at his finding and subsequently held that the election is inconclusive and ordered for re election in the affected areas .
It will be recalled that the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo had approach the Tribunal for an order to nullify the election for non compliance and irregularities during the election. The petitioner through his counsel, called in 10 witnesses which included a witness expert who carried out forensic analysis of all the materials used during the election,while the respondents called in 8. Counsel to the A C N candidate, Ken Njemanze had earlier in the trial, tendered documents, which the tribunal admitted on the grounds of their relevance to the petition.
It is pertinent to note that today marked the 180 days of this petition as enshrined by the electoral act as amended and failure on the part of the Tribunal to give the judgement today will amount to exercise in futility. Delivering the judgement, the tribunal ordered the Independent national electoral commission to conduct election in the affected areas within 3 months.
