By Peter Okutu
ABAKALIKI—An Appeal Court sitting in Enugu last week upheld the 2007 State House of Assembly election, which was won in a landslide by Bede Johnson Nwali, member, representing Ebonyi North East Constituency in the State House of Assembly.

In a unanimous judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Ayobode Lukulo-Sodipe, stated that the allegation of electoral fraud levelled against the appellant was not proved beyond reasonable doubt as required by law, thereby rendering the election of Nwali free and fair, contrary to allegations by the complainant, Mr. Simon Ngaji Nwodo

Vanguard gathered that the decision of the Court of Appeal had reversed the decision of the Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Petition Tribunal Sitting in Abakaliki, which had earlier annulled  Ebonyi North East Constituency election and ruled in favour of a re-run election.

Nwali thanked the court for its display of luminary erudition in the judgment passed in his favour, adding that the three and half years of legal tussle had in no small measure gulped a large part of his concentration on matters relating to his constituency.

He assured the people of his constituency of more democracy dividends in years ahead, saying the storm was over.

His words: “The allegations levelled against me were not proved. Following from this, the PDP, myself, INEC, have been vindicated that the election that ushered me into the State House of Assembly was free, fair and credible.

“It was a landmark judgment, characterized by immense judicial erudition. Nigeria is blessed with judges who know what they are doing. I thank them for their role in the sustenance of our nascent democracy.

“I will work hard to sustain the desires and aspiration of my people. I want to assure my people that their prayers have been answered. I have a lot to do for them and will do it even though the litigation affected us.”

It was gathered also that before the court ruling, leaders of thought from Ebonyi North East Constituency had in a communiqué, dated September 22, adopted Nwali for a 2nd term in office.

The communique stated:   “We happily and proudly endorse and adopt our dear son, Barr. Bede Johnson Nwali, for election for a second term in office as the honorable member representing us in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Abakaliki, as he is focused, cool headed, humble, respectful, peaceful and dedicated representative who has  not disappointed us and as such found favour in our eyes.”