ABUJA – The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal where the petition
challenging the April 16 presidential election is being heard,
yesterday, turned to a Mecca of sort, as several ministers and
chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stormed the venue to show
solidarity to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Among those in court yesterday were the Acting National Chairman of
PDP, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, its former chairman and now Minister of
Defence, Mohammed Haliru Bello, Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb
Olubolade and Minister of Interior, Abba Moro.
Meantime, the ministers who came to court shifted restlessly on their
seats as four witnesses of CPC narrated how PDP allegedly rigged the
presidential election in their various states.
The witnesses gave chilly accounts of how PDP allegedly sponsored
thugs that snatched ballot boxes in several wards in Akwa Ibom, Kaduna,
Calabar and Imo states.
One of them, Mr Edeth Ineh Edeth, in his statement on oath, said he
captured PDP agents in Akwa Ibom State, buying voters card on the day
the presidential election held, using his cell phone.
He said: “I was the polling agent for CPC in Unit 4 Ward 5 of Udung
Uko LGA of Akwa Ibom State during the presidential election on April 16,
2011.
“The election was marred by corrupt practices such as buying of
voters card from voters who came to vote by agents of the PDP and
President Jonathan in the polling unit.
“The agents of the 3rd and 5th respondents were seen, distributing money to voters in the polling booth.”
Another witness, Mr Ubong Asuquo, alleged that the Akwa Ibom State
Government, threatened to dethrone any traditional ruler that failed to
deliver his community to President Jonathan, insisting that it was the
threat that compelled the monarchs to besiege polling units with a view
to ensuring that PDP won the election.
Meantime, the five-man panel of justices presiding over the matter,
yesterday, summoned Chairman of Independent National Electoral
Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, to appear before it to adduce
reasons why sensitive materials used in the conduct of the April 16
general election should not be produced before the tribunal for
inspection.
The Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs-led panel made the order on a day
counsel to CPC, Mr. Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, withdrew an ex-parte
application that was earlier filed by the petitioner.
The application was withdrawn and struck out, after INEC lawyer, Mr
Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, accepted to receive the court summon on behalf of
INEC chairman.
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Ministers, PDP chair, storm tribunal…as court summons INEC boss
Ministers, PDP chair, storm tribunal…as court summons INEC boss
NigerianEye
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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