Appeal Court reserves judgements in Igbinedion, Agbonyinma appeals

The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City on Thursday reserved judgement in the appeal filed by Barr. Omosede Igbinedion against the tribunal ruling which upheld the election of Hon Dennis Idahosa, as the winner of Ovia Federal Constituency election.

Barr. Igbinedion through her counsel, Kingsley Obamogie, raised eight grounds of appeal.

Obamogie said the lower court infringed on the right of fair hearing of the petitioner and that the judgement was a miscarriage of justice.

He urged the appellate court to invoke section 66 (1) of the Nigeria Constitution against Idahos on the issue of non-qualification.

Counsel to Idahosa, Mr. Robert Emukperuo, said issues of criminal allegations raised against Idahosa were not proven by the appellant.

Emupkeruo said the evidence of PW8 that the appellant is making heavy noise about was empty.

He subsequently called for the appeal to be dismissed for lack of merit.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme said a date for the judgement would be communicated to parties concern.

The court also reserved judgement in the appeal filed by Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonyinma against the tribunal judgment.

In the ruling of the tribunal in Agbonyinma’s petition, the tribunal struck out the petition for lack of merit and upheld the election of Mr. Jude Ise-Idehen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency.

The appellate court also heard the appeal filed Patrick Idiake for the Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency against the affirmation of Joe Edionwele victory by the tribunal.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme reserved judgement after the parties had adopted their final briefs of arguments.