A’Ibom North Senatorial Election: Lawyers urge INEC to withdraw certificate of return from Etim
A coalition of concerned lawyers have urged the independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to withdraw the certificate of return in respect of the Akwa Ibom North East senatorial election issued on Mr. Bassey Etim following the ruling of a court of appeal in Uyo.
Briefing senate correspondents in Abuja, the spokesman of the group,Omang Charles Omang said INEC acted in contempt of the judgment of justice Nnamdi Dimgba On a stay of execution which was duly served on all the parties.
Omang explained that Senator Bassey Apkan notice of appeal and stay of execution against the judgement nullifying his election had been ruled on by the federal high court sitting in Abuja.
Citing section 143 of the electoral act, Omang said that senator Apkan filed his appeal against the judgement within 21 days from the date of the decision.
The coalition maintained that senator Bassey Apkan remained the senator representing Akwa Ibom north east pending the judgement on his appeal.
“In addition to the forgoing , there is a subsisting order of the Federal Court sitting in Abuja per Nnamdi Dimgba, J. nullifying the certificate of return erroneously issued to Hon. Bassey Etim by INEC ;
Having transmitted the record of appeal, the appeal has properly been entered at the court of appeal, Calabar division with appeal number CA/C/87/2017 between Distinguished Senator Bassey Albert Akpan versus Bassey Etim and 2 others,” he said.
