APC Governorship Saga: Court declines Akan Udofia’s Plea To Strike Out Ita Enang’s Case
In the case of Senator Ita Enang challenging Obong Akan Udofia’s purported declaration as Governorship flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State,
Justice A. A. Okeke on Monday at the Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Uyo has deferred ruling on whether the court has jurisdiction to preside over the matter or not.
Justice Okeke declared that ruling on jurisdiction shall be delivered during of the final judgement of the whole case.
The court announced August 24, 2022, for ruling on Udofia and APC’s objection to the plaintiff’s amendment to the originating motion. The judge added that from 24th August, the case shall be heard on a day-to-day basis.
It could be recalled that Akanimo Udofia through his legal team had prayed the court to strike out the case on grounds that the writ of summons was served in Abuja, not Akwa Ibom State where the court is domiciled.
Ntufam Mba Ukwueni SAN, Counsel to Senator Ita Enang, had however argued that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to sit over a matter irrespective of where the summons was served within the federation.
He also prayed the court to overrule all objections sought by the defendants, insisting that the demands of the defendants are unknown to Law.
Today, Franklin Okoro Esq. stood in for Senator Ita Enang, D. J. Adeyemi Esq. represented Obong Akanimo Udofia, U. E. Udosen represented the APC while Sigalo Kpoobari represented INEC.
