INEC sacks lawyer over wrong representation

Taiwo Adisa, Abuja - 01.02.2008

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sacked the lawyer representing it in the Abia State Election Petition Tribunal, Mr. Akpabio Umoh, over what was described as “wrong representation.”

The lawyer appeared for INEC as external solicitor in a case involving two former deputy governors of the state, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Honourable Acho Nwakanma, in the tussle over Abia South Senatorial District election of April 21, 2007.

Abaribe was declared by INEC as the winner of the election over Honourable Nwakama of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPA) who was also a deputy governor to Orji Uzor Kalu.

The lawyer was equally asked to hands off two other cases involving Paul Taribo versus Okere Asiforo and 28 others and Chibuike Nwokeukwu and Honourable Nnanna Uzor Kalu.

A letter from the Office of INEC Secretary, and signed by A.A. Kaugama, Acting Secretary, with reference number INEC/LEG/RETAB/07/216/5 which was dated January 24, 2008, conveyed the commission’s decision to the resident commissioner in Abia and the election tribunal.