The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has granted leave to Senator Godswill Akpabio as an interested party to appeal the judgement of the court which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission replaces his name with retired DIG Udom Ekpoudom as the duly elected candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District.
Akpabio’s lawyers, had applied for Leave for Akpabio to be joined in the Appeal because he was not a party in the proceedings, to enable him to approach the Supreme Court for reprieve.
Delivering judgement on the Motion for Leave after hearing Mr Umeh Kalu, SAN, Berth Igwilo, SAN, the three-man Panel of the Justices of the Court of Appeal, led by Hon. Justice U.A. Ogakwu, unanimously granted Akpabio’s prayers
The court further held that since Senator Godswill Akpabio’s name had earlier been forwarded to INEC as the candidate of the APC, it was imperative to allow him appeal the judgement of the court delivered in his absence.
