Otti gets permission to inspect election materials

The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has been granted the permission to inspect the materials used in the 2015 governorship poll by the Election Petitions Tribunal which began sitting in Umuahia on Wednesday.

The ex-Diamond Bank boss, who last Friday filed his petition seeking the cancellation of the results of the poll in the three controversial councils of Obingwa, Osisioma, and Isiala Ngwa-North; was also granted leave to serve the Governor-elect, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, by substituted means.

Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Usman Bwala, while granting the prayers, fixed May 27, 28 and 30, 2015 for the inspection, which would be done under the supervision of the police, Department of State Service and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.



Otti, through his legal team comprising six Senior Advocates of Nigeria led by Chief Chris Uche, is also seeking the nullification of Ikpeazu’s victory, praying the tribunal to declare him the winner of the contest.

Addressing journalists at the tribunal, Uche expressed satisfaction with the decision of the tribunal for Otti to inspect the election materials.

He also expressed confidence that his client would get justice in the end.

But in a swift reaction, the Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Chief Charles Esonu, said his party welcomed the decision of the panel but observed that it would have been better if the respondents were present in court to raise objections to the ex parte motion raised by the petitioner.

Meanwhile, the tribunal also received two other petitions from APGA factional governorship candidate, Chief Reagan Ufomba, against Otti, INEC, APGA, PDP, Ikpeazu and 22 others.

It also received another petition by Nyerere Ayim of the All Progressive Congress against INEC, Ikpeazu and three others.

The tribunal did not hear other petitions at its inaugural sitting. Other members of the three-man panel are Justice Ekeret Ebienyie and Justice Olusegun Ogunyemi.

The panel cautioned all parties to avoid unnecessary delay, stressing that all matters had to be discharged within 180 days as stipulated by the Electoral Act.

The panel which adjourned hearing till June 11 for trial also warned against any attempt to induce members with any gratification.