The Akwa Ibom Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has reserved ruling on whether or not it will admit the defence of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom to the APC petition challenging his election.
The tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday reserved the ruling after listening to the arguments of counsel representing the APC, its candidate Umanna Umanna, as well as the lawyer representing Emmanuel.
The tribunal chairman, Justice Sadiq Umar said the date for the ruling will be communicated to counsel.
Umanna and APC had filed the petition seeking the nullification of the election of Emmanuel in the April 11 governorship election in the state.
The petitioners alleged irregularities in the election processes and asked the tribunal to declare that Emmanuel not validly elected governor as declared by INEC.
Emmanuel had filed his defence to the petition out of the seven days prescribed by the Electoral Act.
Lawyer to the petitioners, Assam Assam, on Wednesday, asked the tribunal to reject the defence, having been filed out of time.
He urged the tribunal to deem that all allegations in the petition were admitted by the governor.
In a ruling, the tribunal in exercise of its discretion, gave Emmanuel’s lawyer, Paul Usoro, SAN, the close of the day (Wednesday) to file the reply, and adjourned to Thursday for continuation of hearing.
At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Bayo Akinlaja, SAN, who led the Umanna’s team of lawyers reported that the reply filed by the governor as directed by the tribunal was not attached with necessary certified documents.
He contended that the certified documents to be relied upon during trial were not attached to the reply and therefore urged the tribunal to discountenance it.
Usoro, however, opposed the application arguing that he did what was right and in accordance with the Electoral Act.
He urged the tribunal to deem the reply of his client to the petition, as properly filed. (NAN)