A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia on Thursday heard the preliminary suit filed by the Counsel representing Hon. Sam Onuigbo against the All Progressive Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), and Emeka Atuma.
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The Counsel for Onuigbo, Emeka Obegolu (SAN) had approached the court to uphold the APC Abia Central Senatorial primary election which was conducted and won on 28th June by his client who is the plaintiff as against a “so called” primary conducted on the 7th of July which produced Hon. Emeka Atuma which does not exist.
However, In a Preliminary objection filed by APC, its Counsel Nwankwo, stated that the substantial suit was not originally fixed for hearing on the 15th September as confirmed by the judge but was slated on the 5th of October but “Suddenly a letter was written apparently from the plaintiff asking the court to fixed it to a later and earlier date which the court graciously granted it to today so that all the parties be able to come to court, so that by the time all parties are represented and all processes are before the court, the court can now fix a date for the hearing of the main case”
The defense attorney prayed the court to strike out the suit on the basis of incompetence and opined that it lacks the jurisdiction to hear it.
Recall that there have been controversies and contention about who is the authentic senatorial candidate of APC for Abia Central Senatorial district with the party parading Hon. Emeka Atuma as the candidate, while Honorable Sam Onuigbo who won the primary election which was conducted on 28th June 2022 is insiting he remains the valid candidate of the party.
Justice Evelyn Anya who presided over the case adjourned it to the 30th of September.
