Sensor Newspaper

There was a mild drama on Wednesday at the election petition tribunal sitting in Uyo when the tribunal hearing the petition filed by Dr. Anny Asikpo against the election of Senator Aloysius Etok member representing Ikot Ekpene senatorial district had invited a second witness to enter the witness box.
Counsel to the 1st Respondent, Sen. Etok, had opposed the appearance of the witness on the grounds that the witness had failed to file his disposition as required by law.
Barr. G. A Umoh, who represented the lead counsel, Barr. Uwemedimo Nwoko further argued that the witness was not eligible to give witness at the court.
In a swift reaction, counsel to the Plaintiff S. C Peters told the Court he had filed relevant papers with the secretariat in which the secretary assured him that the respondent would be served. This was keenly contested by Counsel to the 1st Respondent which prompted the court to overrule the argument of the Plaintiff.
The argument as whether counsel to PDP and 1st respondent had been served, it was the invitation of the tribunal secretary who was ordered to appeal before the learned     Justices that served the rowdy atmosphere in the court as he confirmed that the service was duly effected at the 1st Respondent’s chambers.
The tribunal however, advised counsel to PDP who took over from David Okokon Esq to apply and effect a change in service address if he was not comfortable.
The witness was therefore ordered to step out of the witness box as the case was adjourned to 6th February for the appearance of the witness.

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