LG election petition tribunal begins sitting
Rivers State Judiciary Panel of Inquiry has commenced an investigation into the October 7, 2024, attack on the Ikwerre Local Council secretariat.
Also, the Local Council Election Petition Tribunal has commenced sitting to address petitions filed by aggrieved political parties against elected council chairmen
The panel’s first hearing featured witnesses from Ikwerre Local Council, with the Secretary, Smiles Azunda, representing the area. According to Azunda, the damage from the arson is estimated at N3.219 billion.
In her opening address, the chairman of the panel, Justice I. R. Minakiri, emphasised that the panel’s purpose was fact-finding and recommendation, not victimisation.
She appealed for cooperation from all parties involved and promised to strictly follow the commission’s prescribed terms of reference.
While in his defence on the memoranda he submitted on October 28 on behalf of the council to the commission, Azunda urged the commission to admit the attached photographs and video clips that captured moments of the incident as evidence.
Also, the secretary attached a report of an investigation carried by one John Chukwumadi on October 18. He also submitted photographs and video clips wherein he alleged that former lawmakers, Anselm Oguguo, Charles Wobodo, Obinna Ekem and others were culpable in the attack.
The Paramount Ruler of Ubima, Iheanyi Williams, testified that the Ikwerre Traditional Rulers Council visited the secretariat on October 11 and confirmed the wanton damage. Williams urged the panel to ensure proper punishment for those responsible.
The election petition tribunal’s panel, led by Chief Magistrate, Betty Sunny-Hart, granted a motion ex parte filed by the chairmanship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Gokana Local Council, Kenneth Alee-Kpea.
The order allows Alee-Kpea to inspect ballot papers and result sheets used in the 17 polling units of Ward 10.
Sunny-Hart directed Alee-Kpea to inspect within three days. The hearing, however, was adjourned till November 5, 2024.
Alee-Kpea and his party are challenging Princewill Dumbor-Tomii’s victory, announced by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), in favour of the Action Peoples Party (APP).
In a separate sitting, the tribunal headed by Chief Magistrate, Menenen Poromon, granted a motion ex parte filed by Action Alliance and its chairmanship candidate in Obio Akpor Local Council. The order permits the inspection of electoral materials used in the election.
The three-man panel directed Victor Amadi to serve the defendants, including Action People’s Party and the Council Chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, with the order and return on November 5, 2024, to show proof of service. Amadi is challenging Ihunwo’s victory, announced by RSIEC on October 5, 2024.
Also, five aggrieved political parties and their chairmanship candidates have filed suits challenging election victories in various local councils, including Obio-Akpor, Emohua, Gokana, Port Harcourt City, and another local council.
