Court of Appeal sitting in Makurdi, has sent packing the Deputy Speaker of Benue State packing as lawmaker.
The court affirmed the decision of the National and State House of Assembly’s Election Tribunal to sack Christopher Adaji.
By the court judgement, Adaji ceases to be lawmaker representing Ohimini state constituency on the platform of PDP.
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Honourable Justice I. G. Mbaba, the presiding Judge of the three-man panel said the appeals lacked merit.
Mbaba said without rerun in Otega and Ogadagba, Adaji’s election was invalid by reason of non- compliance with Electoral Act 2010.
.The Appellate Court further held that the findings of the Tribunal have not been appealed.
“I find no merit in this appeal,” Justice Mbaba held and consequently dismissed same.
Mbaba, therefore, issued an order directing INEC to conduct fresh election in the two polling units within 90 days from judgment.
Justice Mbaba further awarded the cost of N200, 000 only in each of the appeals against the appellants as cost.
INEC had returned Adaji winner with a margin of 397 votes, less than 1, 056 votes cancelled in two polling units.
