The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC, in Enugu State, Barrister Okey Ezea, Monday, discontinued with his case against State Governor, Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as he formally withdrew his appeal pending before the Court of Appeal, Enugu.
The Enugu Governorship and House of Assembly Tribunal had earlier dismissed his petition challenging the election of Governor Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for lack of merit but not satisfied by the decision, Ezea headed for the appeal court to continue with his case.
But when the matter came up for hearing before the appellate court on Monday, Ezea through his counsel, Peter Ugwu told the court that he has already filed a withdrawal notice before the court and requested the court to discontinue with the appeal.
Counsel for the respondents, Paul Onyia, raised an objection to the application on the ground that his clients were not consulted, urging the court to compel the appellant to pay a cost of N1million for time wasted.
Respondents in the case were Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, PDP, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner, among others.
The five-man Justices of the appellate court led by Justice J.H. Sankey, after due consideration of the submissions by the two parties, struck out the appeal and awarded N100,000 cost in favour of the respondents.
Efforts to speak with the appellant’s counsel proved abortive as he declined comment when approached by Journalists to ascertain the reasons adduced by his client for withdrawing the appeal.
