MRS. ANN ATIM BASSEY EYO V. HON. ALICE EKPENYONG & ORS.

UZO I. NDUKWE-ANYANWU, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Tribunal holden in Uyo Akwa Ibom delivered on 18th August, 2011.

The Petitioner of the Tribunal contested with the 1st Respondent in the Election held on 26th April, 2011 into the Mbo State constituency. The 1st Respondent was returned by the 3rd Respondent as the winner of that election.

Being dissatisfied, the petitioner presented a petition at the Tribunal No.EPT/AKS/HA/17/2011. The tribunal by a motion Exparte filed by the petitioner granted the petitioner his prayer and ordered that the forms TF 007 and TF 008 issued by the Tribunal's Secretary would be deemed as properly issued by the Tribunal.

Subsequently the Tribunal transferred this petition to panel 2 with many other petitions. Panel 2 in its wisdom issued Hearing notices to the parties and requested the parties to address it on two issues namely:

1. Whether the Tribunal has jurisdiction to proceed with hearing of …