Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Friday, failed to appear before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in the state.
n Thursday, reported that the tribunal had ordered a substituted service of a subpoena on Mbah through his lawyer to appear before it on Friday, (today) over his alleged forgery of his National Youths Service Corps discharge certificate.
Mbah, who was declared winner of the March 18, governorship election in Enugu State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (EFCC) is being challenged by the Labour Party candidate, Chijioke Edeoga and PRP candidate, Elder Christopher Agu over his alleged forgery of the NYSC certificate presented to the electoral umpire.
It had been reported that his invitation to appear before the Tribunal was sequel to an application by counsel to the People’s Redemption Party, Alex Amujiogo that Gov Mbah should appear before the tribunal to testify on the documents he submitted before it.
Following the inability of the bailiff to serve the subpoena on the governor, the Tribunal during the Thursday’s session, directed that subpoena application be served on Mbah’s lawyer which was immediately served by Amujiogo.
However, when the case came up today, Friday, the PRP counsel told the Tribunal that Mbah did not honour the summons.
Amujiogo said, “This Honourable Tribunal had on June 22, 2023 made an order that the subpoena be served on Barr Peter Mbah through his counsel. We have since done that for him to appear today.
“My Lord, it is obvious that he is not in court under the pretence of immunity. And today is my last day for me to close my case; my hands are tied and I have no choice than to close my case.”
When asked of his next line of action, Amujiogo told journalists that: “It is now left for the tribunal, in the course of this matter to know the next step that they will undertake as regards his refusal or inability to appear today before the Tribunal; let us watch and see the battle will be like, between the tribunal and the governor
“It has two legs- the tribunal can exercise its power of sanctions against the person who refuses his order; you also know that judgement is always at hand; it is the last option. The ball is on the court of the Tribunal to do things one way or the other.”
However, the lead counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Anthony Ani (SAN) told journalists after the Tribunal sitting that the petitioner did not comply with the provisions of the law while serving the subpoena.
He said the governor was ready to appear had the petitioners done the right thing.
Meanwhile, the Tribunal will on Saturday rule on the interlocutory application by Labour Party and its candidate, Mr Chijioke Edeoga for Mbah to present his letters of his appointment for various political offices he claimed to have held under the administration of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani.
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