The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday set aside the decision of the
National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Kogi which struck out
the petition of Sen. Smart Adeyemi. Adeyemi of Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) had challenged the election of Sen. Dino Melaye of APC, alleging
electoral irregularities and malpractices.
Justice Muhammed Adume held that the tribunal was wrong in striking out
Adeyemi’s petition on the grounds of technicalities, instead of
substantial justice. The appellate court, therefore, remitted the case
to the tribunal for “trial on merit’’.
The court further held that the decision of the tribunal that Adeyemi
did not file his petition within the time frame allowed by law was wrong
and nullified it forthwith.
Adume said the respondents did not provide sufficient evidence before
the tribunal that the petition was filed late.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the tribunal had dismissed
the petition of Adeyemi, a one-time National...
