Election Tribunal: PRP decries Governor Mbah’s refusal to honour subpoena
The People Redemption Party (PRP) has expressed dismay at the refusal of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to honour the subpoena by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
Speaking at the tribunal on Friday in Enugu, the counsel to the PRP Governorship Candidate, Mr Alex Amujiogu, told the tribunal that Mbah did not appear in court in spite of the subpoena order that was served on him.
The tribunal is hearing the petition filed by Mr Christopher Agu of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) against Peter Mbah of the PDP.
Agu is praying the tribunal disqualifies Mba over the alleged NYSC certificate forgery and alleged election results alteration by INEC.
Amujiogu, counsel to Agu said: “The tribunal made an order on June 22, that a subpoena order be served on Mr Peter Mbah, which was done for him to appear today.
“It is obvious that he is not in court under the pretence of immunity and as today is my last day for me to close my case, I have no choice than to close my case,” he said.
On the sideline, Amujiogu told newsmen that the matter had come up before he was sworn in as a governor.
“The dependency of the matter is what is called sub judice; if a matter is in court, you cannot use a new fact to damage impending case.
“When he was sued, he was not a governor, he is a candidate, whose election has been challenged and that is why the tribunal in their own wisdom made the subpoena, that he needs to appear to clarify certain things pending before the tribunal.
“The tribunal can exercise their power of sanction against the person who refuses to obey its subpoena order also, we know that judgement is always at hand,” he said.
Earlier, during cross-examination, Mr Anthony Ani(SAN), counsel to PDP told the 3rd petitioner witness, Mr Chukwuma Aneke that his party, the PRP was the unviable political party in the state, adding that the petitioner brought the petition just for a showmanship.
Aneke told the court that he was the Local Government collation agent of the PRP, stressing that he was at his polling unit at Enugu Ngwo, when the results were announced orally without result sheets.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice K. M Akano adjourned the case to June 24 for the defence of the first respondent, (INEC).
NAN/N.O
