APC, Obaseki to be served by substitution – Tribunal

The Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City has granted an order for the People’s Democratic Party and the Young Democratic Party to serve court processes on the All Progressive Congress and governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, through substituted service.

By this order, the court processes would be assumed served once they are pasted on the walls, or gate of the Edo APC secretariat and the residence of Obaseki.

The tribunal granted the order following a motion exparte filed separately by Counsels to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the YDP.

Lead Counsel to Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the PDP, Kingsley Obamogie, said the motion exparte was filed in pursuant of the First Schedule, Paragraph 47 of the Electoral Act as amended.

Obamogie told the tribunal that the Edo APC secretariat along the Airport road has been shut down since October 20, 2016.

He said the shutting down was to frustrate attempt to serve court processes on them.

Obamogie urged the tribunal to grant the motion because it has become impossible to serve Obaseki and to enable them make progress in the petition.

Ugo Nwafor, Counsel to YDP and its candidate, Nurudeen Inwanfero, in the motion sought the tribunal leave to serve the APC and Obaseki by substituted service.

In his ruling, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice A.T.Badamasi granted the motion saying it was in line with the Electoral Act as amended and section 6(5) of the Nigerian constitution.