BREAKING: Appeal Court Sacks Former Governor As Senator
In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled on Wednesday to remove the former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam from the Senate.
The court determined that Suswam of PDP was not the legitimate winner of the senatorial election that took place in Benue North East on February 25.
The Court criticized the judgment of the Benue State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which had reinstated Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Senator, following the nullification of the election victory of Mr. Emmanuel Udende from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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The appellate court argued that the tribunal had incorrectly assessed the presented evidence from the parties involved, leading to an erroneous conclusion that upheld Suswam’s petition against Udende’s election victory.
As a result, the court invalidated the tribunal’s decision, stating that it found merit in the appeal brought forward by the APC candidate
“The judgement of the tribunal delivered on 8/9/2023 is hereby set aside.
“The return of the Appellant as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial election that was held on February 25 is hereby affirmed.
Parties are to bear their respective cost,” the appellate court held in its lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Abimbola Osarugue Obaseki Adejumo, who led the panel.
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It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Udende as winner of the senatorial election after he polled a total of 135,573 votes to defeat Senator Suswam who garnered 112,231 votes.
Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, Suswam approached the tribunal on the ground that it was marred by over-voting, irregularities, alterations and falsification of results.
In its judgement, the tribunal held that Suswam successfully established his case that irregularities took place in five out of seven LGAs in the Senatorial District.
The tribunal cancelled 51,895 votes entered for Senator Udende and also cancelled 21,229 votes entered for Senator Suswam.
After subtracting the padded votes, Senator Suswam was left with 90,590 while Senator Udende scored 82,699 votes.
Upholding the petition, Justice Ori Zik-Ikeoha led panel entered judgment in Suswam’s of All Progressives Congress favour, a decision that was vacated by the appellate court on Wednesday.
This is a Plus to All Progressives Congress, APC in Benue State.
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