Appeal court sacks Ekwunife from senate

The court of appeal sitting in Enugu has annulled the election of Uche Ekwunife as senator representing Anambra central in the upper legislative chamber.

Datijo Yahaya, the judge who delivered the lead judgment, held that the election in which Ekwunife of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged winner  “did not meet prescriptions of the electoral act.”

He therefore annulled the election, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold a fresh one within 90 days in the senatorial district.

Victor Umeh, candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), had appealed against the decision of the Anambra state national assembly petition tribunal which upheld Ekwunife’s victory.

The removal of Ekwunife, who is the chairman senate committee on petroleum (downstream), is coming a few days after the court of appeal sitting in Benue state sacked David Mark, former senate president and PDP member, from the senate.

Mark has expressed confidence and optimism that he will win the fresh election.