TRIBUNAL TO PROCEED WITH AKUNYILI/NGIGE SUIT

The Anambra State Elections Petitions Tribunal on Monday ruled that it had the jurisdiction to hear the suit filed by former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, against the election of Senator Chris Ngige (Anambra Central).
The tribunal headed by Justice Pat Onajite-Kuejubola said it would proceed with the petition filed Akunyili of the All Progressives Grand Alliance against the election of Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria.
Akunyili's lawyer had applied for an extension of time for the trial by 180 days following an order by the Court of Appeal that the tribunal should reopen the matter. But Ngige and the ACN opposed the request, saying the statutory 180 days given for the trial of petitions had expired.
The petition was initially dismissed because Akunyili did not file Form TF 008 that was necessary for the pre-trial.
But the tribunal said the 180 days began the day the petition was relisted at the tribunal after the appeal court's order.-PUNCH