INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION V. PRINCE NWOGU OKORO DR. N.C.N.C. OKOLI (TRANSITION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, ABA SOUTH L.G.A.) EMMANUEL EMERUWA AND PRINCE NWOGU OKORO V. EMMANUEL EMERUWA INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC) & ORS.

ABDULLAHI JCA (Delivering the Lead Judgment): This is an appeal filed by the 2nd-11th respondents/appellants (INEC and her officers) in the election petition filed by the petitioner/3rd respondent at the National Assembly/Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal, Umuahia, Abia State in respect of Aba South Constituency delivered on 19 February 2008 in which the trial tribunal upheld the petition in respect only of the first prayer of the petitioner while the 2nd relief was refused. It is appropriate to state from the onset that two appeals in respect of a single judgment were filed. The first appeal, CA/PH/EPT/231/2008 was filed by INEC and 10 of her staff as appellants and Prince Nwogu Okoro, Dr. N.C.N.C. Okoli (Transition Committee Chairman, Aba South Local GovernmentArea) and Emmanuel Emeruwa as respondents. The2nd appeal No.CA/PH/EPT/231A/2008, has Prince Okoro Nwogu as appellant and Emmanuel Emeruwa, Independent National Electoral Commission and her staff, (10 of t…