In a momentous legal verdict, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has officially upheld the election victory of Osita Ngwu (RG) as the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone.
Osita Ngwu clinched the victory during the February 25th poll, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi, the Labour Party candidate, unsatisfied with the results, sought legal recourse by heading to the tribunal to challenge the outcome.
On September 11th, 2023, the tribunal delivered a ruling that proved pivotal in this case. The tribunal contended that the petitioner had made a critical error in presenting their case by merging allegations of non-compliance with the electoral act and accusations of corrupt practices. The tribunal held that these two allegations should have been presented separately with specific details provided to substantiate each claim.
Regarding the allegation of over-voting, the court ruled that the petitioner failed to adequately detail their pleadings, even though witnesses and ballot papers were presented as evidence. The court emphasized that these ballot papers were presented without clear evidence of their origin, leading to doubts about their authenticity.
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Undeterred, Amadi pursued his case further by heading to the Appellate Court to challenge the tribunal’s ruling. However, in a judgment delivered via a virtual platform, the appeal by the Labour Party candidate was ultimately dismissed for lack of merit. The tribunal’s original judgment was upheld, and Osita Ngwu’s election victory remained intact.
This significant legal development not only reaffirms Osita Ngwu’s position as the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone but also underscores the importance of adhering to legal procedures in election-related disputes.
The intricate nature of this legal battle brings to light the complexities of electoral disputes and the crucial need for meticulous preparation in presenting cases before the courts. By maintaining the sanctity of legal processes, the judiciary plays a fundamental role in upholding the principles of democracy and ensuring that the people’s choice is upheld.
This landmark ruling comes after months of legal deliberation and a comprehensive examination of the evidence presented. The conclusion of this legal battle marks a significant moment in the political landscape of Enugu West Senatorial Zone.
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