APC Primary: Akume Seeks Time Extension For Process Regularisation

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Gboko/Tarka House of Representatives seat in Benue, Regina Akume on Wednesday asked a Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi for a time extension to enable her to regularise her processes before the court.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 11 others are seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting the names of any aspirant as House of Representative Candidates of APC for the 2023 general elections in Benue State. 

At the resumption of the hearing on Wednesday, counsel to Akume, J.B. Dandi, informed the court that he had filed an application for more time to enable regularise his processes before the court. 

Lead Counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Edward Ashiekaa did not oppose the application and the Presiding Judge, Justice Abdu Dogo, accordingly granted the application. 

The application by counsel to  INEC, N.N. Collins to file his memorandum of appearance, counter affidavit and written address was not taken due to his inability to present evidence of payment of the default fee while the application by counsel to the APC, Hon. Solomon Wombo, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir and Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher, E.I. Ahmed was also not taken till the next adjourned date. 

Earlier, counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief Ashiekaa (SAN) informed the court that the 7th defendant, Samuel Godday Odagboyi, 10th defendant, Evang. David Ogewu, and the 12th defendant, Hon. Adama Adama were yet to file processes before the court. 

Justice Dogo adjourned the matter to September 13 for the parties to regularise their processes and for hearing.