Senate Ignores Court, Allows Emordi In Plenary

ABUJA April 20, (THEWILL) - Despite the annulment of her election to the Senate by the Appeal Court, Joy Emordi who represented Anambra North on Tuesday appeared in the Senate and surprisingly participated in proceedings at plenary.

An Appeal Court in Enugu last month quashed her election and declared Alphonsus Igbeke of the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), winner of the 2007 senatorial election in Anambra North.

Emordi’s reappearance followed the refusal of the Senate to swear in Igbeke who was also at the National Assembly on Tuesday on the ground that the case was still in court.

Speaking after the plenary, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Information Senator Ayogu Eze explained that the Senate had allowed Emordi to retain her seat as the case is still in court

He said the Senate as a law abiding institution is compelled to follow the rule of law and its rulebook by allowing the status quo to remain until final determination of the case

Emordi had gone back to the court to file a suit in which she is praying the Court to set aside its ruling against her.

Igbeke who was at the Senate expecting to be sworn in describe the action of the Senate as a breach of the constitution insisting that he is the duly elected senator to represent Anambra North in the Senate.

He vowed to continue the legal tussle to take over the Anambra North seat in the Senate.