Just In: Appeal Court Sacks PDP Lawmaker, Gives Fresh Order

The Appeal Court sitting in Owerri has sacked the member representing Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe federal constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Obinna Onwubuariri.

Delivering judgement o Saturday, the chairman of the panel, Justice R.N Pemu, said the election that brought Onwubuariri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to power in February was not in tandem with the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended.

The Appeal Court backed the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal that ordered a fresh election in the federal constituency.

Justice Pemu stated that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Miriam Onuoha, able to prove her allegations of over-voting, mutilation of figures and violence which marred the election.

The Appeal Court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return it had earlier issued Onwubuariri.

Justice Pemu also ordered the electoral umpire to conduct a fresh election in the entire federal constituency within 90 days.