Anambra State legislative election petitions tribunal on Friday threw out a motion challenging the election of former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah into the Senate.
Oduah, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, represents Anambra North in the Senate.
Dubem Obaze, the petitioner, and his party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), had approached the court to nullify Oduah’s victory based on alleged electoral fraud during the March 28 elections.
The dismissed documents were voter registers used for the conduct of the senatorial election in Onitsha North, Onitsha South and Ogbaru local government areas.
Justice Hezekiah Solanke in his ruling said: “We are puzzled at the rationale of the motion as we find it difficult to accept the petitioner’s intention in frontloading the documents. The application is unnecessary and has only succeeded in delaying the time of this tribunal.”
Oduah’s counsel, Osita Nnadi (SAN), the petitioner’s counsel, Chike Onyemenam (SAN) and PDP counsel, Chuma Oguejiofor, all agreed to invite 15 witnesses each when hearing commences.
The counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jude Nnodum (SAN), however said he would invite 11 witnesses.
The tribunal adjourned the petition till August 3rd for the commencement of hearing and hearing of issues for determination.
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