IGE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal before this court against the judgment of the Local Government Council Election Tribunal of Imo State sitting at Owerri dated 8th February, 1999. Two petitions were before the tribunal numbered LGEP/IM/1/98 and LGEP/IM/47/98.
The parties in LGEP/IM/1/98 were as follows:-
Ethelbert Nnana Eze PETITIONER
V.
1. Dr. Gideon Nwaeze
2. Independent National Electoral Commission
3. Ephraim Onuzulike (Oguta Local Government Area Returning Officer)
4. Ndu Okonkwo (Mgbala/Uba Ward) Returning Officer) RESPONDENTS
5. Patrick Nwabueze (Supervisor Mgbala/Uba Ward)
The parties in LGEP/IM/47/98 were as follows:-
Barrister Francis U. Unyimadu PETITIONER
v.
1. Bro. Gideon Nwaeze
2. E. Onuzulike (Returning Officer Oguta Local Government Area)
3. Samuel Odunukwe
(Electoral Officer, Oguta Local Government Area) RESPONDENTS
4. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
In the petition No. LGEP/IM/98 Ethelbert Nnana Eze stood election f…