Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District Thomas Joel-Onowakpo has raised the alarm over his inability to assess the Certified True Copy (CTC), of the judgement on petition number EPT/DL/SEN/01/2023-Diden Michael & ANOR v INEC & ORS.
He appealed to the president of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria to prevail on the chairman of the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Panel 3 sitting in Asaba, Delta State, to release the CTC.
Joel-Onowakpo added that he has not come to terms why the chairman of the tribunal is not forthcoming with the CTC.
The appeal is contained in a petition to the president of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria, signed by his Counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, of Summit Law Chambers, Solicitors & Advocates, titled, “Non-release of Judgement Delivered on 6th September, 2023 is in Petition No: EPT/DL/SEN/01/2023 – Diden Michael & ANOR v INEC & ORS.”
It would be recalled that the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba had ordered a rerun election in Warri South local government area, which according to the judgement should be within 90 days.
Joel-Onowakpo, said that the non-release of the Certified True Copy of the judgement is impeding on his determination to challenge the ruling in an appeal, as he was not satisfied with the outcome of the tribunal.
According to the petition, “We act as counsel to Senator Joel-OnowakpoThomas Ewomazino, the 2nd Respondent in the above petition and we have his instructions to bring to your Lordship’s attention the failure to release upon application the judgement of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal Panel 3 sitting in Asaba in the aforesaid matter.
“On the 6th of September 2023, the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal Holden in Asaba (Panel 3) delivered judgement in the above petition in which it ordered a rerun of the Delta South Senatorial District Election.
“We immediately applied for the Certified True Copy of the said judgement with a view to our client preparing and filing his notice and grounds appeal against the judgement. A copy of the duly acknowledged letter is herewith attached showing that our application was received on the 7th of September 2023.”