Anxiety  as court of appeal decides Orji Kalu, Ohuabunwa fate today

By Steve Oko

Anxiety has continued to build across Abia North senatorial district as the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri is expected to deliver judgment today on the suit by Senator  Orji Uzor Kalu challenging the invalidation of his election by the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia.

The Justice Cornelius Akintayo panel which invalidated Kalu’s election on the grounds of non compliance with the principles of margin of lead also ordered a supplementary poll between him and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

But dissatisfied with the judgment, Kalu headed for the appeal court to challenge the verdict.

After both parties adopted their written addresses at the first hearing last week the court reserved judgment for today.

The court proceeding was slated for 11:00 but as at 12:00 noon when this report was filed the judges were  yet to emerge.

Meanwhile the court hall was   filled to capacity by counsels and supporters of both parties as well as others who came for other people that have pending matters in the court.