By Adaeze Onuora, Abakaliki
The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the petition filed by one Honourable Ejiofor Vincent Chukwu challenging the election of the Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial district and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Barrister Onyekachi Nwebonyi for lack of merit and awarded a fine of 250,000 naira against the petitioner for wasting time of the Tribunal.
In a statement signed and made available to Salient times by Romanus Uzor Ozioko, Legislative Media Aide to the Distinguished Senator Nwebonyi, he stated that th learned Justices of the Panel had earlier dismissed the petition in limine but graciously accepted to hear it afterwards.
He also noted that the decision of learned Justice was taken in order to avert a situation whereby the Appeal Court may disagree with the Tribunal for dismissing the petition in limine.
Therefore, after extensive hearing of the petition in merit, the learned Justices of the Panel unanimously agreed that the petition is utterly lacking in merit and deserves to be thrown into the dustbin of history. Part of the judgement reads:
“The evidence of the Petitioner’s witnesses were contradictory, hearsay, and lacking in probative value. There was really nothing for the Respondents to respond to in the petition as the petitioner never really made any effort to prove the petition. Besides, the petitioner had no locus standi to present the petition because he was not a candidate in the questioned election.”
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi described the judgement as a triumph for the rule of law and democracy. He hailed the judges for their superlative jurisprudence and courage to do the right thing.
“The Judiciary has continued to superintend the country’s nascent democracy through arbitration of electoral disputes and other matters. I salute the courage of the learned Justices of the panel who stood their ground without minding whose ox is gored. I dedicate this victory to the Almighty God and the good people of Ebonyi North Senatorial district who overwhelmingly gave me their votes. I will never let you down, my people.”
Senator Nwebonyi further extended an olive branch to his opponent noting that it is now time to close rank and work towards the progress of their Constituency.
