Umuahia, 22nd August, 2023
In a decisive legal judgment, the Election Petition Tribunal has ruled in favour of Hon. Benjamin Kalu, dismissing the case brought by Mr. Frank Chinasa challenging the credentials and qualifications of Hon. Benjamin Kalu to contest in the just concluded National Assembly elections conducted February 25th, 2023.
The tribunal’s ruling marks a significant milestone in upholding the integrity of the electoral process and confirming the legitimacy of Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s electoral win. The tribunal carefully considered the evidence presented by both parties and determined that the allegations made by Mr. Frank Chinasa were unsubstantiated.
The Chairman of the three man Panel, Justice Samson P. Gang, in delivery the judgement, quashed the objection of Mr Frank Chinasa challenging the authenticity and variation in name of Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
In the judges opinion:
(a) The petitioner should have contacted the awarding institutions and verify the authenticity of the certificate before approaching the court
(b) The Petitioner did not prove that the first respondent is not the owner of the said certificates, rather was concern about the variation in the names
(c) The certificates submitted by the petitioner as evidence/exhibit were mere photocopies and not certified true copies, hence not admissible.
Hon. Benjamin Kalu expressed his gratitude to the tribunal for their impartiality and thorough examination of the case. He emphasized his commitment to serving his constituents with dedication and integrity, and he vowed to continue working tirelessly to represent their interests in the house of representatives as the Deputy Speaker.
The tribunal’s judgment reaffirms the importance of adherence to due process and the rule of law in resolving electoral disputes. It also underscores the significance of transparent and accountable electoral systems that foster public confidence in democratic processes.
