By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
The lingering controversy over who the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should hand the certificate of returns for Imo West senatorial district was finally laid to rest by the Supreme Court, Thursday, as it pronounced that Chief Hope Uzodinma was the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the recently concluded National Assembly elections in Imo State.

A five-man panel of justice of the apex court, in its unanimous judgment, equally set aside the judgments of both the trial High Court and the Abuja division of the appellate court, which ab initio declared incumbent Senator Osita Izunaso as the legitimate winner of the primary elections that was conducted for that senatorial district on January 8.

Justice Walter Onnoegen, who delivered the lead judgment, shortly after all the parties in the suit concluded their arguments yesterday, said the court would give detailed reasons for the position it took on the matter come May 20.

Lead counsel to Uzodinma was Chief Wole Olanikpekun, SAN, who led four other Senior Advocates of Nigeria that appeared for the appellant yesterday.