House of Representatives members Hon Amobi Ogah and Philip Agbese have had their elections affirmed by the Appeal Court on Friday.
While the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed the victory the member representing the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, the Lagos Division also upturned the verdict of the National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Umuahia by dismissing the election of the member representing Isikwuato Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, Hon Amobi Ogah.
In Ogbese’s case, the three-man panel of Justices, led by Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, issued a unanimous ruling, dismissing the appeal filed by Aida Nath Ogwuche of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The appeal was deemed to be “lacking in merit” by the court.
As part of the judgement, the Court of Appeal imposed a cost of N300,000 against the appellants, to be paid to each of the respondents.
Ogwuche and the PDP challenged Agbese’s election through a petition filed at the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for Benue State, claiming non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and alleged unlawful exclusion by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
They argued that the alleged exclusion was in violation of a Supreme Court judgement that confirmed Ogwuche as the PDP candidate.
Despite facing a rejection of his appeal at the Tribunal, he had an appeal filed before the Appellate court.
On the other hand, the tribunal had in a judgement in September nullified Ogah’s election, declaring the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate and current Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, as the winner of the election.
Ogah headed for the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgment where he has been affirmed winner.
The Appeal Court said the appeal of the Labour Party candidate was meritorious and allowed same, thereby setting aside the ruling of the lower court.
