AYOBODE OLUJIMI LOKULO - SODIPE, J.C.A (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the decision of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal, Awka Anambra State, (hereafter simply referred to as "the Tribunal") dismissing Petition No. EPT/AN/HA/28/2011 as an abandoned Petition in a consolidated Ruling delivered on 9/9/2011.
The Appellants as Petitioners instituted Petition No.EPT/AN/HA/28/2011 (hereafter simply referred to as "the Petition") on 17/5/2011 before the Tribunal challenging the declaration and return of the 1st Respondent by the 2nd Respondent as the winner of the Anambra State House of Assembly election for Anambra East Constituency held on 26/4/2011. The 1st Appellant contested the questioned election on the platform of the 2nd Appellant. The Appellants averred to the effect that the 1st Respondent claimed to have been sponsored by the 5th Respondent and was put forward by the 2nd Respondent as the person that contested the questioned e…