Double Registeration: Court grants APGA’s application to join suit against Obiano

Obiano is accused of registering twice prior to election.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday granted an application by the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, seeking to be joined in a suit against Anambra Governor-elect, Willie Obiano.

The plaintiffs, Ugochukwu Ikegwuonu and Kenneth Moneke, had instituted the suit alleging that Mr. Obiano registered twice as a voter prior to his election.

Their counsel, Joe Gadzama, had in an originating summons, prayed the court to declare Mr. Obiano’s election null and void, and prosecute him for double registration.

Mr. Gadzama argued that by the double registration, Mr. Obiano contravened the Electoral Act and was unqualified to contest, ab initio. He contended that the voter’s card which the governor-elect tendered before his party for the election was different from the one he submitted to INEC.

Initially joined in the suit were Mr. Obiano as the first defendant and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as second defendant.

At the resumed sitting on Monday, APGA’s counsel, Pius Ikwueto, moved an application seeking for a leave of the court to join the party in the suit.

Mr. Gadzama did not oppose the application, saying that the party seeking to be joined is the political platform of the first defendant.

Mr. Obiano’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, and INEC counsel, Joan Arabs, did not oppose the application as well.

Ruling, Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted APGA’s prayers and ordered the plaintiff’s counsel to serve the party’s counsel the originating summons within 48 hours.

The judge also ordered the counsel to the defendants to serve and file their replies to the plaintiff counsel’s amended process within 14 days of the ruling. He adjourned the case to April 16 for definite hearing.

(NAN)