The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for Kogi state, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by Mr Emmanuel Ozigi, the Progressive People Alliance (PPA) candidate in the Nov. 21 election over failure to file necessary papers.
Justice Halima Muhammad dismissed the petition because the petitioner failed to file before the tribunal necessary papers to show that he was ready for the pre-hearing of the petition.
The judge also said that the petition was dismissed in line with the provisions of Section 18(4) of the First Schedule of 2010 Electoral Act.
The section stipulates that where the petitioner and respondents fail to bring an application under this paragraph, the tribunal or court shall dismiss the petition as abandoned petition.
“The tribunal has carefully examined all the motions by the counsel to the respondents. The petitioner did not comply with the provision of paragraph 18(1) A of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act.
“The petitioner was up and doing before the date for filing of pre-hearing notices was fixed,’’ she said.
“But unfortunately, they failed to file their papers for today’s pre-hearing, adding that they were fully aware pre-hearing was slated for today, March 9.”
The tribunal subsequently dismissed the petition in line with the provisions of paragraph 18(4) of the First Schedule of the 2010 Electoral Act.
At the resumed hearing of the case, PPA did not make any legal representation.
Credit: The News
