TheCable

The court of appeal sitting in Benin, Edo state capital, has ordered the removal of Ighoyota Amori, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Delta central.

The court declared Ovie Omo-Agege, candidate of the Labour Party in the March 28 parliamentary election, winner of the poll.

The tribunal sitting in Asaba had earlier upheld Amori’s election, ruling that he was validly elected.

L I Boufini, chairman of the tribunal, dismissed the petition filed by Omo-Agege,  who had contested Amori’s victory on the grounds of irregularities.

But Boufini held that the LP candidate failed to prove the allegations in his petition.

“The allegations of the petitioner, including his eight witnesses, were based on hearsay, and the law does not entertain arguments based on hearsay,” the judge had ruled.

“This tribunal has considered the arguments of the petitioner and the defence of the respondents.

“It is, therefore, our view that the petitioner failed to prove the allegations of electoral irregularities beyond reasonable doubt.

“In the light of the above, the petition is hereby dismissed.”

Reacting to the judgment, Omo-Agege said he was not giving up  and was determined to appeal the ruling.

Subsequently, he filed a case before the appeal court, which ruled in his favour, saying he should be sworn in because he emerged winner of the election.

The development is coming less than a month after Amori held a colourful thanksgiving service, where he dedicated  “his victory to God”, promising to “never disappoint the great people of Delta central who I am representing today”.

Some of the lawmakers at the thanksgiving service

Senate President Bukola Saraki led a high delegation to the service, which held in Delta.

Those in attendance included Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president; Godswill Akpabio, minority leader; Dino Melaye, as well as Peter Nwaoboshi and James Manager – the other two senators from the state.

Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of the state, also attended the programme.