The Election Petition Tribunal for the just concluded Imo North Senatorial District election has commenced sitting at the Imo State High Court in Owerri, the state capital.
At the maiden sitting of the tribunal, the Presiding Judge, Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo, granted the prayer of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr Athan Achonu, to paste the summons of the court at the notice board of the court and at the APC state secretariat to serve as a substituted service to the candidate of the APC, Mr Ben Uwajimogu, who is alleged to have evaded service.
Justice Imadegbelo also granted the application of the candidate of the PDP to carry out a forensic inspection on the sensitive materials used during the conduct of the rerun elections on July 23, 2016.
Lead Counsel to the PDP candidate, Mr Ken Njamanze (SAN) said the motion granted by the Judge has become necessary following the evasion of the second respondent to be served the court summon.
He pointed out that service on the second respondent is fundamental for fair hearing and to allow further and effective proceeding.
The Senior Advocate also noted that the court also granted the request of the appellant to inspect the electoral documents including the ballot papers and result sheets in the custody of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Mr Achonu, who contested in the just concluded Imo North Senatorial election, had approached the Election Petition Tribunal insisting that the election was marred with irregularities and massive rigging by the APC.
He insists that he won the election and that the court should declare him winner of the election, having scored majority of the lawful votes in the election.
