The Coalition for Social Justice and Good Governance (CSJGG) has called on the President of the Court of Appeal to set up a panel to review the judgment which sacked Sen. Darlington Nwokocha of Labour Party (LP), and declared Augustine Akobundu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of Abia Central Senatorial seat.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos had sacked Sen. Darlington Nwokocha of Labour Party (LP), the Minority Whip of the Senate in the judgment delivered over the weekend.
However, the co-Convener of the CSJGG, Mr Ciroma Ahmed, in a statement released on Monday in Abuja faulted the judgment.
He noted that Nwokocha emerged winner of the contest and was declared as such by INEC after polling a total of 92,116 votes, while Akobundu who scored 41447 votes sought judicial interpretation.
He said that the case went up to the Appeal Court and judgment was delivered on Saturday evening by Justice Biobele A. Georgewill-led National Assembly Election Appeal Court Panel.
He said that in the judgment, Akobundu of the PDP was declared winner on the grounds that Nwokocha of LP was not qualified to contest the elections.
Ciroma said that in another case, related in context, content, character and point of law, Rep. Ginger Onwusibe of LP was affirmed Rep for Isi-ala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency of Abia by the same Justice Georgewill’s panel.
Onwusibe contested against Prof. Anthony Agbazuere of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who challenged the out come of the election up to the appellate court.
“First, the appeal panel members on this case were changed and reconstituted three consecutive times before Justice Georgewill from Rivers was posted to head the panel.
“In the light of the above, the coalition demands as follows; that the President, Court of Appeal should immediately constitute a judicial review panel to examine the circumstances of the conflicting judgements.
“We call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to immediately convene an NJC meeting to address the numerous allegations against judicial officials.
“This is to restore the public confidence especially the people of Abia in the judiciary as the last hope of the people.,” he said.
The coalition demanded details of the judgment be make public saying that they will embark on massive protest to call out the Justice if their demands are not met.
credit: PM News
