Akunyili vs Ngige: Appeal Court orders retrial

THE Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu has ordered the retrial of the election petition filled by the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Anambra Central senatorial district in the last general election, Professor Dora Akunyili, against the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Chris Ngige.It also allowed the appeal filled by Akunyili to challenge the verdict of the lower court on the grounds that it was meritorious.Justice Sam Osegi, who delivered the verdict on Wednesday, ruled that the appeal was 'meritorious' and, therefore, 'succeeds.'While setting aside the judgment of the lower tribunal in Awka, the court said it had the right to reverse itself on an issue it had already resolved.Reacting to the verdict, counsel for Ngige, Bona Orakwe, expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment, but, however, said they were ready to abide by the verdict.Thophona Oguji, consel for Akunyili, in his reaction, commended the justices over the judgment and expressed optimism that it would afford his client the opportunity to get justice which, he claimed, was denied her.The tribunal sitting in Awka had earlier dismissed Akunyili's application on the grounds that she could not provide Form TF008, which would have provided vital information during the pre-trial of the matter.
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