M. D. MUHAMMAD, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): In 1999, this country once again embarked on yet another effort to return to democracy. By May of that year, the effort had materialised. With the conduct of successful elections, the executive and legislative arms of government at both state and national levels were put in place. Persons elected into these offices were to serve for four years. They would seek re-election at the end of their tenure if they must continue in office.
The governorship elections of 19th April, 2003 was part of the country's further effort to sustain the nascent democratic experiment began in 1999. Contestants into these offices across the country did so on the platform of registered political parties. The Justice Party was one of such registered political parties. Mr. James David Ebri was the person nominated by the party to contest the governorship election in Cross River State. Both Mr. Ebri and the Justice Party that sponsored him for the govern…