Appeal Court Sacks Ohuabunwa, Orders Fresh Poll Within 90 Days

THE Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, presided over by Justice G. Mbaba yesterday nullified the election of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in Abia North senatorial within 90 days.
 
Former Abia State governor and senatorial candidate of the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA), Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, had challenged the declaration of Ohuabunwa as winner of the election, which was upheld by the Election Tribunal in Umuahia.
 
Mbaba stated that the lower tribunal should have relied on certain relevant documents, which ought have been filed, but were not, before judgment was delivered in Ohuabunwa’s favour.
 
He also said the election was proved to have been marred by high-level irregularities, while the results were also mutilated.