Appeal Court affirms APC’s Jibrin Isah as Kogi East Senator

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the victory of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Jibrin Isah as Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District of Kogi State.

The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Isah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Kogi East Senatorial District election. 

But the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who came second in the election, Victor Adoji had challenged the return of Isah on the ground that elections were cancelled in some polling units where the PVCs collected were more than the margin of win.

He had prayed the tribunal to nullify the victory of Isah and ordered a supplementary election in the affected 94 polling units in the senatorial district.

In a unanimous Judgement, the tribunal led by  Justice K.A. Orjiako ordered a rerun in 94 polling units where there were irregularities in the last general election.

Not pleased with the judgment,  Isah filed an appeal against the decision of the lower court. 

The appeal court, in its judgment on Thursday held that the witness on which the tribunal relied its judgment on was incompetent. 

The court subsequently expunged the exhibits presented by the witness from the records. 

“The appeal succeeds. The judgment of the tribunal is hereby set aside and the appellant’s victory is sustained and affirmed, ” the appellate court held.

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