Uba Sani has been confirmed as the duly elected senator for Kaduna Senatorial District in the February 23 national assembly election. Justice Adefope O. Okojie of court of appeal sitting in Kaduna on Monday, October 21, upheld Sani’s victory in the election.
It was earlier reported that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Candidate in the election, Lawal Usman, had dragged sitting Senator to the Appellate court, following the earlier ruling of the election petition tribunal in favour of the senator.
Okojie said: “today, the court of appeal upheld the judgement of the local tribunal on three issues. The first was whether Uba Sani was qualified to contest being a political officeholder.
“The tribunal held that the document tendered by the appellant did not comply with relevance evidence act being an internet downloaded document. It must comply with relevant provision of Chapter of 82 evidence act.
“So the tribunal held that since it didn’t comply with that section, Uba Sani was qualified to contest. Today, the court of appeal has affirmed that decision.
“The second issue was that whether there is electoral malpractice in some local governments and the court held that there was no sufficient evidence to proof that INEC did not conduct the election in compliance with the guidelines of the electoral act. The court of appeal today ascend that decision.
“The third issue was non-compliance with relevant provisions. All the three were resolved in favour of Uba Sani. I am of the firm believe that, both the trial tribunal and the court of appeal did substantial justice in upholding the tenet of our democracy, they upheld the tenet of the rule of law affirming Uba Sani as duly elected senatorial candidate for Kaduna Central. In this regard, I believe Uba Sani will now be given the opportunity to represent his people without distraction.
“Though the N100, 000 was not enough because we have been in court since March, that is seven months now. We thought court would have awarded more. The amount was to cover the expenses but I don’t know what N100, 000 will do. Nevertheless, we accepted it.”