whistleblower and activist, Nze Ebubeagu Ekenulo has asked the Federal
High Court, Abuja to relist a suit he filed in 2014, challenging the
qualification of Senator Hope Uzodinma, representing Imo West Senatorial
district in the Senate.
In the suit, Ekenulo is praying for an order removing Uzodinma from the
Senate and another order restraining the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) from allowing Uzodinma to contest any election recognized by
the 1999 Constitution, as amended, for not possessing a school certificate.
Defendants in the suit are the Senate, Senate President, the Peoples
Democratic Party, INEC and Uzodimma, first to fifth defendants, respectively.
Ekenulo asked the court for interpretation of sections 57, 68 (1) (b) and
section 65 (2) (a) of the Constitution and to determine whether Uzodinma “who
had no school certificate when he contested in 2011 election can continue to be
a member of the Senate.”
He is contending that Uzodinma, who allegedly had no school certificate,
should not remain in office in the light of the 1999 Constitution, particularly
“upon proper reading and interpretation of sections 57, 68 (1) (b) and section
65 (2) (a) of the Constitution.
When the case came up yesterday,
Ekenulo’s counsel, K.C Nwufor (SAN) told Justice Ahmed Mohammed that he has
filed an application on March 10, 2017, seeking to relist the suit.
Uzodinma was not in court, neither was he represented.
In view of this, the court said for the benefit of doubt, hearing notices
should be served on Uzodinma and other
defendants. Consequently, the matter was adjourned to May 24, 2017.
In the same suit marked FHC/Abj/CS/769/2014, Ekenulo is praying for an
order citing Uzodinma for trial for perjury, lying under oath that he possessed
a school certificate when he contested the 2011 senatorial election.
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