The Tribunal hearing in a suit filed by Prince Eric Aso Kalu of the People’s Democratic Party against the declaration of Hon. Dr. Mike Ukoha as the winner of the Arochukwu State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly entered its second day as witnesses of PDP were cross examined.
These are the details of what happened in the court today August 22nd 2019.
Counsel to PDP/Prince Eric Aso Barrister Mike Onyeka: my lord continuing our matter, our next witness is Isaac Okoro
Witness: my name is Isaac Okoro from Amukwa Village Arochukwu in ward 2 I’m a farmer
INEC counsel Barrister Jerry Nwani: witness tell the court the name of your polling unit
Witness: it is 005 Amukwa square Arochukwu
What did the candidate you voted for scored
Witness: he scored 20 votes
Are you acquainted with INEC guidelines
Witness: yes sir
You are also very knowledgeable in the way INEC measures its activities
Witness: I don’t understand
Ok do you know how INEC calculate votes casted
Witness: yes sir
What happened when over voting is noticed in an election
Witness: you call your lawyer when it is noticed
Barrister Ike Tagbo: witness May I know your initials
Witness: I.J Okoro
Did you appear for your fellow party man?
Witness: yes sir
Barrister E.C. Etiaba: witness were you trained for the assignment you were given to
Witness: yes sir
Take a look at this result can you see the number of spoilt votes?
Witness: yes sir it is 3
Did you see the one that was cancelled and signed?
Witness: I can’t see it
Look at the obverse side total number of spoilt and accredited
Witness: 98 not 101
98 +3 is what
Witness: that is 101
My lord that will be all for the witness
Next witnesses tell the court your name: my name is Uche Okoro Ikeogu from Amahaba in Obiagwulu Ututu.
INEC counsel: witness you belong to PDP
Witness: yes
On the day of election you worked for the party
Witness: yes sir
E.C Etiaba: witness you were fully trained for the assignment and you do not have any problem with the result as announced by INEC
Witness: yes sir
That’s all for now my lord
Next witness: I’m Azuma Kalu Okeke from Ukwuakwu Ututu; I’m a farmer and trader
INEC counsel: witness what is the name of your polling unit
Witness: Mgbarogo Ukwuakwu 012
What did the candidate of your party scored?
Witness: He scored 167 votes
When was the date of the election?
It was on 9th March, 2019
E.C Etiaba: witness you were trained very well before the election
Witness: yes my lord
Take a look at this document, can you see anything
Do you in any way have problem with the way INEC conducted its election
Witness: no sir
Next witness: my name is Kalu Ogenna from Ukwuakwu Ututu
Ike Tagbo: witness who won the election in your polling unit
Witness: PDP
Are you having problem in that unit?
Witness: in unit 011 there was no problem during the election
What is the name of your polling unit?
Witness: Ukwuakwu hall or 011
When was the election held?
Witness: 9th March, 2019
E. C. Etiaba: witness you confirm your polling unit take a look at this document, confirm that the election was free and fair
Witness: it was free and fair
Presiding judge: witness is you satisfied with the result
Witness: satisfy about what
Presiding judge: do you think we are playing, show him the result, take a look at it are you satisfied
Witness: yes sir
Next witness: my name is Kalu Obasi Okwo from Amasa Ututu
INEC counsel: what do you say is your polling unit?
Witness: Amasa Ututu village hall
Which party won in your unit?
Witness: PDP
Are you satisfied in the conduct of election?
Witness: I am satisfied
What was the score of your party?
Witness: 55
When was the election?
Witness: 9th of March, 2019
Ike Tagbo: witness you have a triple name Kalu Obasi Okwo
Witness: yes sir
You belong to PDP
Witness: yes sir
E C. Etiaba: witness does it mean all that INEC did in Ututu is correct
Witness: yes sir
My lord that will be all
Barrister Mike Onyeka Counsel to PDP/Prince Eric Aso Kalu: my lord I humbly want to crave for an adjournment till tomorrow and we will probably be closing our case by then.
Presiding judge: Barrister Nwani any objection? Nil my lord
E.C Etiaba: my lord no objection but in line with the fact that they will be closing their case tomorrow…
Presiding judge: counsel to INEC come tomorrow with your witnesses
Counsel to INEC: my lord I need to intimate the witnesses very well before bringing them to court some of them are not around at the moment.
Presiding judge: when we see tomorrow
This hearing has been adjourned till Friday August 23rd 2019.
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