Andy Uba, Uche Ekwunife Axed From National Assembly As Court Orders Fresh Elections

Andy Uba

A five man panel of the court of appeal in Enugu today threw two bombshells by removing Andy Uba and Uche Ekwunife from their seats in the Senate and house of representatively respectively.

Led by Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju JCA, the court ordered that INEC should conduct fresh elections in designated constituencies.

In the case of Mr. Uba, the court agreed with the petitioner Chuma Nzeribe of APGA that that last April's senatorial elections were marked by   gross irregularities and massive rigging in Aguata constituency.

The appellate panel then ordered Uba to vacate his seat, until INEC conducts a remedial election in the affected area.

This latest judicial reversal marks the second time that Mr. Uba has been removed from an elective post by the courts. In 2007, the Supreme Court kicked him out of the governor's office in Anambra state after he had spent a mere 17 days in office.

 A highly controversial figure from his days as  former president Olusegun Obasanjo chief domestic aide, Mr. Uba has been been exposed for claiming to possess academic credentials that he never earned.

In a series of investigative reports, it has exposed Uba's extensive corruption as well as his false claims to possession of academic credentials that  he never earned.

In a separate judgement the same appellate panel also removed  Uche Ekwunife of APGA from her seat in the house of representatives, ordering fresh elections be held in Aniocha LGA.

Uche Ekwunife

The panel found that there has been massive rigging in the concerned constituency  which is the home constituency of governor Peter Obi of  Anambra state

From 2007 to 2011, Mrs. Ekwunife had served as member of the house of representatives as a member of the PDP, late last year she decamped to APGA and was handed the party's ticket to the dismay of aspirants who were long time party members.

Today's verdicts came in the form of summary judgements with the panel deciding to issue a formal judgement in due course. 

This simply is the beauty of democracy.......