While the petitioners (Edeoga and Labour Party) were present in court, the second respondent (Peter Mba) was represented by his counsel on Wednesday.
The Enugu State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, on Wednesday, reserved judgment on the petitions challenging the election of Governor Peter Mbah after parties in the matter adopted their written addresses.
During the resumed proceeding of the Tribunal, Justice Akano who led the panel, reserved judgement, saying the date would be duly communicated to the parties.
The candidate of the Labour Party, Chijioke Edeoga is challenging the declaration of Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic as the validly elected governor by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the March 18 governorship elections in the state.
While the petitioners (Edeoga and Labour Party) were present in court, the second respondent (Peter Mba) was represented by his counsel on Wednesday.
INEC is the first respondent in the petition, and Mbah and the PDP are listed as the second and third respondents respectively.
Adopting his address, Mbah’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, asked the court to dismiss the petitions of the Labour Party for lacking in merit and being a mere academic exercise.
Similarly, counsel for the Peoples Democratic Party, Anthony Ani, SAN, contended that the argument of the petitioners is vague and lacking evidence.
Adopting his final address, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, lead counsel for Labour Party and its governorship candidate, asked the tribunal to hold the position of his clients and grant the reliefs sought by his client.
He said it has been established beyond any reasonable doubt that Mbah was at the time of the election not constitutionally qualified to contest for the election having presented a certificate of national service that was allegedly forged to INEC.
Chief Adegboyega Awomolo highlighted the issues of over-voting, non-use of BVAS, and alleged forgery of NYSC certificate, among others brought by the petitioner as reasons why the matter should be decided in favour of his client (Edeoga).