Tribunal Upholds Ekene Adams As Winner Of Reps Election In Kaduna

Tribunal Upholds Ekene Adams As Winner Of Reps Election In Kaduna

....Court awards 500,000 damage against the petitioner

..Ekene dedicates win to constituents

By: Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

Supporters of the Labour Party, (LP) have stormed the streets in Kaduna state to celebrate the victory of Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, following the judgement that upheld his election as the duly elected Member representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, in the February 25th general election.

The Jubilation follows the dismissal of the suit filed by Hon. Yakubu Barde of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) demanding Ekene’s sack over an alleged certificate forgery.

The National Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday dismissed the petition brought by Barde on the ground that it lacks merit.

Justice F.A. Fiberesima while delivering judgment on the case on Tuesday, leading a three-man panel that heard the petition, dismissed the case and awarded N500,000 damages to Ekene for defamation of character by the petitioner.

According to her, forgery from the point of law is a criminal act, a very weighty allegation that must be proved beyond every reasonable doubt.

She noted that the tribunal was already in doubt because the petitioner could not prove the allegation on the ground that his claims lack merit and therefore discountenance.

The judge further stressed that despite the fact the petitioner tendered documents to support his claims, the respondent, Ekene Abubakar Adams also tendered his own document from the same schools and therefore the best way to have given the petitioner’s claim an edge was to present an eye witness.

Speaking with Journalists shortly after the event, Ekene said “I feel normal. I was never agitated because I know the court will do the right thing. The victory is for the people and that is why you see celebration ongoing everywhere.

“We have been up and doing and so we will continue to serve the people as we have promised. I, therefore, called on the aggrieved members to come and join hands with me so we can build our dear constituency together.”

Reacting to the judgement, Counsel to the respondent, Muhammed M. Sani said the judgement was highly educative, adding that justice has prevailed at last.

Ekene Adams was appointed as Chairman House Committee on Sports.