by CALABAR- THE 2023 Election Petitions Tribunal for Cross River North Senate post on Monday began hearing on petition EPT/CR/SEN/02/2023 brought before it by Senator Ben Ayade against the election of Senator Jarigbe Agom.
The Tribunal which is headed by Justice M A Sambo has A .C Akabua and J . Zululu as members is hearing the petition by Senator Ayade who is seeking the dissolution of the February 25 Senatorial election for the Cross River North for alleged gross acts of election malpractices.
Senator Ayade who petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission, People’s Democratic Party and Senator Agom to the Tribunal is represented by three Senior Advocates Professor Mike Ozekhone, Chief Abeni Mohammed and Mortala Abdul Rasheed along with ten other lawyers while Senator Agom has Mba Okweni and five other lawyers.
Ayade listed a deluge of evidence from 310 polling units where infractions allegedly took place during the election which he said makes the election nullity.
He presented evidence from all the five local government areas that constitutes the senatorial district
In Bekwara, he presented evidence from Abuochiche, Afrike Ochagbe, Ibiaragidi, Nyanya , Otukpo, Ugboro and Bishiri wards. In Obudu the former governor presented exhibits from Begiaba/Begiaka, Boche, Obudu Urban 2, Utugwang Central and Utugwang North wards. In Yala he presented evidence from Ochimofana, Gabu, Mfuma/ Ntrigom, Okpoma, Wanihem, Wanikade, Wanokom, and Yahe wards while in Ogoja, he presented evidence from Ekajuk
In Ogoja he presented evidence from Ekajuk 1, Ekajuk 2, Mbube East , Mbube East 2, Mbube West 1, Mbube West 2, Nkum Ibor, Nkum Irede, Ogoja Urban 1, Ogoja Urban 2 and in Obanlikwu he presented from one ward, Busi.
The evidence which were adopted as exhibits numbered by the Tribunal would have witnesses to appear for cross examination in subsequent hearings.
