Makurdi – The Federal High Court in Makurdi on Wednesday set aside Nov. 19 to deliver judgment on the disputed Kwande-West Constituency seat in the Benue State House of Assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Joseph Boko of the A PC is challenging the eligibility of the incumbent, Benjamin Nungwa, also of the APC, to occupy the seat.
The presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, who had previously adjourned the case, explained that the latest adjournment was to enable her conclude writing the judgment.
NAN reports that judgment in the matter had been earlier shifted from Nov. 4 to Nov. 11.
Boko dragged the incumbent legislator, Benjamin Nungwa, to court on the grounds of illegally causing the substitution of his name with his own, contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act and the APC guidelines.
He, therefore, asked the court to withdraw the INEC Certificate of Return issued to Nungwa in respect of the Kwande-West state constituency polls held in April 2014, and declare him the winner.
However, in his argument at the court, Nungwa claimed that his name was duly forwarded to the INEC by the National Working Committee of the party, after it reviewed the conduct of the primaries which was won by Boko.
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Nungwa also challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case on the grounds that the action was not supposed to be instituted through an originating summons.
Both parties have, however, concluded their arguments and adopted their written addresses.
Speaking with NAN after the adjournment, Boko expressed confidence in the ability of the court to deliver judgment, anchored on truth. (NAN)
