The Court of Appeal in Enugu has reserved judgment for tomorrow in the petition by Prof Dora Akunyili challenging the election of Senator Chris Ngige.
?
?The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Akunyili, who contested on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), had filed an appeal challenging the verdict of the Election petitions Tribunal which dismissed her petition and upheld election of Senator Ngige.
?
In their separate submissions, lawyers to Ngige, Mr Emeka Ngige (SAN), and INEC, Mr Obiora Nnadi, urged the court to strike out the appeal on the grounds that the period for such electoral matter had elapsed, in line with the Electoral Act.
?
Reacting to the submissions in an interview with journalists, lawyer to Akunyili, Mr Obiora Obianwu (SAN), described it as a misconception.
?
He said that the counsels to Ngige and INEC were misinterpreting the Supreme Court judgement and added? that “time does not run when a petition goes on appeal’’.
?
“Once a petition is struck out, it ceases to exist until it is revived by the Court of Appeal. What is left is for the court to determine who is right or wrong.’’
?
NAN reported that the tribunal sitting in Awka in October struck out Akunyili’s petition on the grounds that it was filed out of time.?