Court reaffirms sack of Ifeanyi Ubah as Senator

Fri, Jan 17, 2020
By publisher
2 MIN READ

Judiciary

THE High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Kubwa, Abuja, has reaffirmed its earlier order sacking Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Peoples Party, YPP, as a senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District.

In his ruling on Friday, January 17, Justice Bello Kawu declined Ubah’s request to set aside the earlier order issued in a judgement delivered by the court on April 11, 2019. The judge directed the Independent Nation Electoral Commission, INEC, to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ubah and issue a fresh certificate to Obinna Uzoh of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who came second at the election.

Realnews recalls that the judge had in his earlier judgement sacked Ubah for allegedly submitting a forged National Examination Council, NECO, certificate to contest the February 23, 2019, senatorial election.

But Ubah subsequently filed an application before the court praying for an order setting aside the judgement on the grounds of a grave miscarriage of justice against him. He said he was not served with the court processes or the hearing notice throughout the proceedings leading to the judgement.

On December 4, 2019, Justice Kawu granted an order of stay of execution restraining the Senate President from swearing-in Uzoh, pending the hearing and determination of Ubah’s application. The judge also ordered all parties to the suit including the INEC to maintain status quo in the meantime.

However, with the ruling on Friday, the judge dismissed the application for lacking in merit. It also dismissed a motion from Chris Uba, another claimant to the PDP senatorial ticket, filed to be joined as an interested party in the substantive suit.

The substantive suit marked CV/3044/2018 was filed before the court by Anani Chuka, a registered voter in Anambra State.

– Jan. 17, 2020 @ 13:55 GMT |

Tags: