Uduak Ikpat
The Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has directed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr Akanimo Udofia, the acclaimed winner of the APC governorship flagbearer, be served court summons in the case between them and Mr Augustine Dominic Utuk, who contested in the governorship primary.
The presiding judge, Justice A. A. Okeke who sat on the matter with suit N0. FHC/UY/CS/115/2022 on Wednesday, said as a time-bound case, all parties in the suit must cooperate with the court to ensure justice is served in time.
Lead counsel to the applicant, Golden Tamuno commended the judge for advocating for timely prosecution of the case.
He assured the court that he will cooperate with the court to ensure that all defendants are served before July 5, 2022, which is the adjourned date.
Augustine Utuk is seeking for the nullification of the primary which produced Udofia as winner, citing alleged flouting of the Electoral Act 2022 and eligibility of the purported winner.
Utuk is also seeking the court to order for a re-conduct of the Primaries in line with party guidelines and the law.
The plaintiff is represented in court by Golden Tamuno, A. E. Attih, Emeka Ojunta, D. A. Olukaraka and D. M. Osene.