C’River Tribunal: Ayade presents evidence against senator Jarigbe’s victory

Prof. Ben Ayade, a former governor of Cross River State, has argued that the election of Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as senator for Cross River North should be nullified before the Election Petition Tribunal in Calabar.

To back up his demand, Ayade submitted data from 310 polling locations in which he claimed electoral inconsistencies occurred during the election on February 25, 2023.

The petition, with the case number EPT/CR/SEN/02/2023, was heard by the tribunal on Monday. The tribunal is presided over by Justice M. A. Sambo and includes Justices A. C. Akabua and J. Zululu.

Ayade is represented by Mike Ozekhome, Abeni Mohammed, and Murtala Abdul Rasheed, three senior advocates, and ten other attorneys, while Senator Jarigbe was represented by Mba Ukweni, SAN, and five other attorneys.

Ayade said that election fraud occurred in the five municipalities that make up the senatorial district of Cross River North.

Abuochiche, Afrike Ochagbe, Ibiaragidi, Nyanya, Otukpo, Ugboro, Bishiri, and the other neighbourhoods were represented in his list of sources.

Exhibits from the Begiaba/Begiaka, Boche, Obudu Urban 2, Utugwang Central, and Utugwang North wards were presented by the ex-governor at Obudu.

Ochimofana, Gabu, Mfuma/Ntrigom, Okuku, Okpoma, Wanihem, Wanikade, Wanokom, and Yahe wards were all represented in his presentation of evidence from Yala LGA.

Evidence from Ekajuk 1 and 2, Mbube East and Mbube East 2, Nkum Ibor and Nkum Irede, and Ogoja Urban 1 and 2 were presented in Ogoja.

From the ward of Busi in Obanlikwu, he made his presentation.

The tribunal adopted the evidence as numbered exhibits, and the witnesses would be called back for cross-examination at a later date.