EKPE, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of the Local Government Election Tribunal of Cross River State (hereinafter referred to as the Tribunal) sitting at Calabar in the election petition No. LGET/CRS/P/10/98. In the judgment delivered on the 16th day of February, 1999, the tribunal held that the election into the office of the Chairman of Etung Local Government Area conducted on the 5th of December, 1998. "was marred by massive electoral malpractices and offences, to the extent that it substantially affected the election to warrant its nullification'" and accordingly nullified the election. The appellants (who were the respondents at the trial of the election petition) being dissatisfied with the judgment of the tribunal have appealed to this court on a number of grounds of appeal. The 1st appellant filed his own notice and grounds of appeal, while the 2nd and 3rd appellants filed a joint notice and grounds of appeal.
Dr. Sandy Onoh, th…