Court sacks Obong Bassey Albert (OBA)

BY EMMANUEL AKPAN

A Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has nullified the election of Senator Bassey Albert as Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo Senatorial District) in the senate, as well as asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) to immediately issue a fresh certificate of return to Hon. Bassey Etim (Bafil).

The presiding judge of court 11, Fatun Riman in his ruling which lasted for over two hours ordered Senator Bassey Albert to vacate his seat in the senate and return all entitlements to the National Assembly within 90 days and equally directed the National Assembly to swear in Bassey Etim from Uruan as the duly elected Senator for Uyo Senatorial district.

Justice Fatun Riman faulted the primary that produced Senator Bassey Albert as flag bearer of the PDP and subsequent election that made him a Senator. It could be recalled that the plaintiff, Hon. Bassey Etim had petitioned INEC in the court, auguring that Senator Bassey Albert did not buy form for the Uyo Senatorial District seat.

Hon. Etim had notified the court that he was the winner of the People Democratic Party (PDP) primary that took place on the 7th December, 2014, and that Bassey Albert bought form for governorship, saying that the Uyo Senator’s name was smuggled into INEC list as Uyo Senator.

Speaking with pressmen shortly after the ruling, the counsel to plaintiff, Barr. Taiwo Abe thanked the court for the judgement and maintained that his client, Hon. Bassey Etim is the new senator for Uyo Senatorial District. He noted that evidences brought by his client to the court were very factual and that there is no way the court would have ruled against his client.

He said that according to every related acts of the Nigerian constitution, his client was being denied of his fundamental right to the National Assembly, saying that with the judgement, there is no doubt that the ruling would be overturned in the Appeal court and that the judgement will remain the way it is in any higher court.

Responding to the ruling, the counsel to the defendant, Offiong Offiong (SAN) said he is not satisfied with the judgement, adding that he will consul his client (Obong Bassey Albert) to know the next step to take.