Tribunal fixes June 10 to begin proper hearing in Akpabio’s suit challenging his defeat

The Akwa Ibom North West Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo has fixed June 10 to commence hearing in the petition filed by former Senate Minority leader, Godswill Akpabio challenging his defeat.

Akpabio had lost the seat of Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district to Engr. Christopher Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 general elections.

The Tribunal ended the pre-hearing session on Friday in view of setting up modalities to be adopted in the actual hearing of substantive issues in dispute.

At the end of pre-hearing, Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Robert Egwono Emukpoeruo SAN, submitted to the tribunal, Schedules of Electoral Forms and INEC Adhoc Staff.

Emukpoeruo also sought the permission of the court to tender evidence including Schedules of Electoral Forms and INEC Adhoc Staff Reports for Essien Udim, Ini, Abake, and Obot Akara Local Government Areas.

The tribunal g admitted the evidence as exhibits before the tribunal chairman, Justice W. O. Akanbi, adjourned to Monday, June 10, 2019, for the commencement of the trial proper.