Bayelsa Guber: tribunal strikes out Gov. Diri’s reply, ask him to pay ₦10,000 to Liberation Movement candidate, Vijah Opuama …Adjourned till 4 May 2020 for pre-hearing report.

… Strikes out Lawrence Erwhudjakpo’s motion
…PDP preliminary objection struck out

Following the resumed sitting of the Bayelsa state governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja between Vijah Eldred Opuama versus Independent National Electoral Commission (as 1st Respondents) and 3 Ors., on 1/5/2020, the tribunal concluded its pre-hearing session after taking all pending motions before it.

The other Respondents listed in the suit include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as 2nd Respondent, His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri and His Deputy, Lawrence Erwhudjakpo as 3rd and 4th Respondents.

The 4th Respondent’s application dated 20/4/2020 seeking among other things, the refusal of the tribunal to admit INEC’s witness from tendering the alleged forged certificate submitted by the 4th Respondent. Other Respondents did not object to the application. The Petitioner also moved his reply in opposition to the application. Ruling was adjourned till final judgment.

The tribunal however struck out 3 motions of the Respondents including the motion of the 4th Respondent with motion number EPT/BY/GOV/02/M29/20 filed on 22/04/2020 having been withdrawn by the 4th Respondent’s lawyer, Chukwuma-machukwu Ume, SAN.

The tribunal also struck out PDP address in support of their preliminary objection contained in their reply, for same having been withdrawn for filing without a motion on notice.

The 3rd Respondent’s reply dated 26/4/2020 and filed 27/4/2020 was also struck out by the tribunal with a cost of ₦10,000 against the Governor of Bayelsa state who was represented by Chris Uche, SAN.

The Petitioner was represented at the tribunal by Pius Danba, Esq., Ebikebuna Augustine Aluzu, Esq., and Ebi Robert, Esq.

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