Akunyili vs Ngige: Tribunal wants forensic expert to testify

THE Anambra State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka yesterday ruled that the police forensic expert brought by the former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who is challenging the outcome of the April 2011 senatorial election for Anambra South senatorial zone should testify.
The forensic expert, Mr. Elias Okwudili Uzoemeka, a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, was to testify last week but could not do so because of the objection of the counsel to Senator Chris Ngige of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, whose victory is being challenged by Akunyili of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
Counsel to Ngige, Mr. Emeka Ngige, SAN, had told the tribunal that the expert could not produce original letter of authority from the Inspector General of Police, IGP, for him to come to Awka to testify at the tribunal.
Tribunal chairman, Justice Onajite Kuejibola, however, ruled that the forensic expert should testify at the tribunal.
Following the ruling, Akunyili, who was led by her counsel, Chief Obinanwu, SAN, testified and tendered her documents in which she claimed that she won the election.
Akunyili is challenging the declaration of Senator Ngige on the ground that she scored the highest number of valid votes during the election.
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