Ministers storm tribunal as court summons INEC boss

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal where the petition challenging the April 16 presidential election is being heard, yesterday, turned to a Mecca of sort, as several  ministers and chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stormed the venue to show solidarity to President Goodluck Jonathan.

Among those in court yesterday were the Acting National Chairman of PDP, Abubakar Kawu Baraje, its former chairman and now Minister of Defence, Mohammed Haliru Bello, Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade and Minister of Interior, Abba Moro.

Meantime, the ministers who came to court shifted restlessly on their seats as four witnesses of CPC narrated how PDP allegedly rigged the presidential election in their various states.

The witnesses gave chilly accounts of how PDP allegedly sponsored thugs that snatched ballot boxes in several wards in Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Calabar and Imo states.

One of them, Mr Edeth Ineh Edeth, in his statement on oath, said he captured PDP agents in Akwa Ibom State, buying voters card on the day the presidential election held, using his cell phone.

He said: “I was the polling agent for CPC in Unit 4 Ward 5 of Udung Uko LGA of Akwa Ibom State during the presidential election on April 16, 2011.

“The election was marred by corrupt practices such as buying of voters card from voters who came to vote by agents of the PDP and President Jonathan in the polling unit.

“The agents of the 3rd and 5th respondents were seen, distributing money to voters in the polling booth.”

Another witness, Mr Ubong Asuquo, alleged that the Akwa Ibom State Government, threatened to dethrone any traditional ruler that failed to deliver his community to President Jonathan, insisting that it was the threat that compelled the monarchs to besiege polling units with a view to ensuring that PDP won the election.

Meantime, the five-man panel of justices presiding over the matter, yesterday, summoned Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, to appear before it to adduce reasons why sensitive materials used in the conduct of the April 16 general election should not be produced before the tribunal for inspection.

The Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs-led panel made the order on a day counsel to CPC, Mr. Oladipo Okpeseyi, SAN, withdrew an ex-parte application that was earlier filed by the petitioner.

The application was withdrawn and struck out, after INEC lawyer, Mr Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, accepted to receive the court summon on behalf of INEC chairman.