Ufomba appeals verdict in APGA guber case

THE factional governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Chief Reagan Ufomba has filed an appeal challenging the verdict of a Federal High Court, Umuahia, which dismissed his suit on jurisdictional grounds.

Ufomba had in his  suit, which was truck out by Justice Folashade-Adejoke Olubanjo, sought to be declared  as the duly elected  governorship candidate of the  party in the 2015 election.

In the suit marked as FHC/UM/CS/01/2015, he listed INEC, APGA,  Dr. Alex Otti and Chief Victor Umeh as respondents.

The appellant in his prayers said the learned trial Judge erred in law  when she struck out his suit after holding that affidavit evidence in the case were conflicting and that the suit should have been commenced by writ of summons and that she has no jurisdiction to entertain the action being a suit which bothers on leadership tussle in APGA.

According to the appeal, filed by his counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor, Ufomba urged the Appeal Court to allow his appeal , set aside the order of the trial Court upholding the preliminary objections of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents and striking out the appellants’ suit.

“To invoke the special jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal under Section 15 of the Court of Appeal Act Cap C36, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to re-hear or determine the whole case since all evidence and materials needed in the case are before this Court, and grant the Appellants’ reliefs”, he prayed.

Ufomba also filed a petition at the State Governorship Petition Tribunal asking the Tribunal to award him the benefit of the Petition filed by Otti,  who is seeking to be declared the winner of the state governorship election won by Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of the People Democratic Party (PDP).