Setback for Suswam as Appeal Court quashes Tribunal evidence
…..as Senator Udende remains confident of victory
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja today set aside the decision of the National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in the matter between Gabriel Suswam and Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende and all subsequent evidence thereto and ordered them expunged from the records.
Ruling on the appeal today, Muhammad Lawal Shuaibu the presiding Judge held that haven looked at Suswam’s Motion and Affidavit to set aside order, there was no justification for the Trial Tribunal to have allowed the motion, haven foreclosed the petitioners for want of time.
It held that Suswam and the People’s Democratic Party were stopped from further calling witnesses in their Petition challenging the return of All Progressives Congress’ Sen Udende. However, in a dramatic turn of events, the Tribunal reversed it’s ruling, allowing Suswam time to reopen his case and the petition.
The Court of Appeal set aside the decision of the Tribunal and all subsequent evidence thereto and ordered them expunged from the records.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee Chairman on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Anti-Corruption, Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende of Benue North East who was represented in court by Wilson Iorshe is confident that the Court of Appeal will uphold his election.
Reacting to the ruling, Jerry Iorngaem, Special Adviser to Senator Udende in a press statement said the Notice of Appeal against the entire judgment of the Tribunal has been filed and served.
He added that the decision of the court today means that Suswam case suffers further devastation that would not stand at the Court of Appeal, when finally heard.
Earlier, in the appeal, Senator Udende prayed the appellate court to hold that the tribunal lacked powers to reverse itself and that the decision be set aside.
