The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on Thursday reserved judgment in an appeal filed by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, challenging the nullification of his election by the governorship election petitions tribunal for the state.
It would be recalled that the tribunal had nullified Wike’s election following the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, Dakuku Peterside.
The court of appeal panel presided over by Justice Dongban Memsem, held that it would communicate the judgment date to parties in the appeal.
“Ruling on all motions raised by the parties and judgment is hereby reserved. The date will be communicated to all parties”, she said.
Earlier, counsel to the governor, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN) had adopted his written address and asked the court to grant the appeal.
He urged the court to upturn the decision of the Suleiman Ambursa-led tribunal which nullified the election of his client and ordered INEC to conduct a re-run election within 90 days.
According to him, the tribunal erred in law in its decision and also failed to give his client fair hearing.
“Some of the motion we raised were never considered by the tribunal before it gave its judgment.
“The failure to give fair hearing to our client rendered the entire process at the tribunal a nullity.
“We urged the court to allow the appeal in its entirety and dismiss the objections raised by the respondents”, he said.
Counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), urged the court to uphold the appeal in the interest of justice.
In his address, Chief Akinlolu Olujimi (SAN), who represented Mr. Peterside, however, asked the court to dismiss the appeal.
According to Olujimi, most of the issues raised in the appeal did not emanate from the judgment of the tribunal.
He urged the court to look into the issues raised at the tribunal and follow from the tribunal’s decision.
Speaking in the same vein, counsel to APC, Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.
