The Ebonyi Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki on Thursday granted an ex-parte order allowing substituted service on Mr Las Ogbee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Chinedu Ogah of the All Progressives Congress had petitioned the tribunal challenging Ogbee’s declaration as the winner of the Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency elections.
Ogah, who is challenging the outcome of the Feb. 23 national assembly polls, had alleged gross irregularities in the conduct of the election.
The ex-parte motion followed an application by Ogah’s counsel, C.A.C. Efife, E. O. Ekpe and U. F. Inah numbered EPT/EB/REP/01/2019, which sought the tribunal’s leave to serve Ogbee through substituted means.
The application was supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit sworn by the petitioner and an affidavit of non-service by the bailiff.
The tribunal Chairman, Justice A.A. Babawale held that the process should be posted at Ogbee’s compound in Ebiaji village, Amaezekwe, Ezza South LGA of Ebonyi.
He further held that the service should be accompanied with an aerial view photograph of the processes.
“The processes should be conducted under an aerial view photograph so as to have substantive evidence of the service,” he said.
No date has been fixed for commencement of substantive hearing on the suit.
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