Appeal Court Sacks Two More Rivers Senators

… Orders Re-Run In 60 Days

THE Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, yesterday sacked two more senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State- Osinakachukwu Idoezu and John Olaka-Wogu- following the nullification of their elections.

The victories of Idoezu (Rivers South-West) Senatorial District and Olaka-Wogu (Rivers South-East) were upturned for failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to comply substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act and other guidelines in the March 28 National Assembly election.

A three-man panel led by Justice Ibrahim Gumel unanimously ordered fresh elections to be conducted within 60 days for the two districts.

Delivering judgment in two separate appeals cases filed by Senator Magnus Abbe and Otelemagba Dan-Amachree, both of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the court held that the elections of the sacked senators were not properly conducted as required by law.

Justice Gumel held that from the available evidence of even the INEC and those of the appellants, the election of March 28 in Rivers State did not conform with set guidelines, such as the use of voter card reader machines, voter register and other election guidelines.

The appellate court Justice said from available evidence, all the polling units in the two senatorial districts abandoned the use of card reader machines, thereby giving way to manipulations.

He further held that there was no proper accreditation done on the election day, as required by law, adding that election without accreditation as in the instant case cannot stand in the face of the law, because an act done in contravention of the law is nothing, but a nullity and illegality.