Akpabio loses bid to stop INEC from tendering documents in Tribunal

Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial district, Senator Goodwill Akpabio’s application seeking the order of court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) from tendering documents before the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo on Monday was rejected by the tribunal.

Akpabio’s lawyer, S. I. Ameh (SAN) had opposed the tendering of INEC voters register and Form E40 that shows that elections were cancelled in some polling units in Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial district, particularly in some wards in Essien Udim local government area.

Blueprint reported that results were cancelled in nine out of eleven wards in the local government area during the elections.

Counsel to INEC, had brought an application to court seeking leave to tender INEC documents which are relevant for the establishment of the facts in the matter before the tribunal.

Opposing the application, Akpabio’s lawyer had argued that the leave ought not to be granted and also opposed the admissibility of the documents before the tribunal.

In its ruling, the tribunal dismissed Akpabio’s application, noting that it was not a matter that should generate any grouse.

It further held that it cannot fathom the basis and premises of the petitioner’s opposition.

Consequently, the court therefore held that the documents can be tendered and therefore dismissed the petitioner’s opposition.

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