The Ebonyi State Election Petitions Tribunal granted leave on Tuesday to Mr. Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party and Bernard Odoh of the All Progressive Grand Alliance to inspect documents used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting the March 18 governorship election. The permission followed two separate ex parte applications filed by Odii and Odoh, who placed second and third, respectively, in the election won by Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress. Both candidates allege substantial non‑compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, as well as violence and rigging that they say compromised the election’s conduct and outcome. After the vote, each issued statements vowing to challenge the results in court and sought tribunal approval to examine INEC’s election materials.
Odoh’s lawyer, Ubah Chukwu, argued that the motion should be granted under Section 146(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, Paragraph 4 of the First Schedule of the same Act, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court as referenced in Section 6(6)(A & B) of the 1999 Constitution. The application, supported by an affidavit, listed the documents to be inspected and sought specific reliefs. Counsel adopted all averments in the affidavit and urged the court to approve the request.
In the separate application, Odii’s lawyer, Adams Opoke, appearing on behalf of Chris Uche (SAN), also prayed for the ex parte relief in the interest of justice. He cited Section 86(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, Section 146 of the Electoral Act 2022, and Paragraph 47 of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022, invoking the court’s inherent jurisdiction. Opoke noted that an affidavit had been filed and that the court should rely on its contents when granting the application.
After hearing both applicants, the presiding judge, Lekan Ogunmoye, granted the requests of Odii and Odoh, allowing them to inspect the INEC documents.
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