Onuigbo Atuma
A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, will on Friday, 30th September, 2022, hear the preliminary objection and main suit filed by the member representing Ikwuano/ Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon Sam Onuigbo against All Progressive Congress APC, INEC and Hon Emeka Atuma.
Hon Sam Onuigbo had approached the court to pursue his case as a duly elected candidate for APC Abia Central senatorial district for 2023 general elections, challenging the party for replacing his name with Emeka Atuma who contested for APC governorship primaries and not senatorial.
Counsel for Sam Onuigbo, Emeka Obegolu, SAN said the suit was slated for hearing today(Thursday) following a letter he wrote requesting the court to attend to them, but informed the court that the first defendant, APC, filed a notice of preliminary objection on Wednesday.
He alleged that the preliminary objection was brought to truncate the business of the day and therefore asked the court to strike it out.
Conusel to the APC, Professor Sam Erugo SAN, represented by Barrister Vigilus Chukwudi Nwankwo, told the court that the originating summons filed by the plantiff was not served to him. But counsels to INEC, Barrister Mrs B.I Amadi and lawyer to Emeka Atuma, Isaac Anya agreed that they were served.
National Watch captured that Nwankwo said they would return to court soon to hear their decision and affirmed that before 30th September, counsel to Sam Onuigbo would have studied their objection and make his defense, which is in tandem with court process.
Responding, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, after listening to the counsels, said the matter was originally scheduled for 5th October, 2022.
She however adjourned the case to 30th of September, 2022 to hear all applications.
The two sons of Ikwuano would return to court to continue the case.
