WILLIE & ANOR
V.
CHARLIE & ORS
EJEMBI EKO, J.C.A.(Delivering the Leading Judgment): On 7th September, 2011 the National And State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Uyo in Akwa Ibom State dismissed the petition filed jointly by the appellants challenging the return of the 1st Respondent to Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. The election was conducted by the 3rd and 4th Respondents on 26th April, 2011. The 1st Respondent, for that election, was sponsored by the 2nd Respondent. For that election, also, the 1st appellant was the candidate sponsored by the 2nd appellant.
The Appellants, as petitioners, filed their petition on 17th May, 2011 against the return of the 1st Respondent. The petition was served on the 1st Respondent on 20th May, 2011. The 2nd Respondent was served the petition on 24th May, 2011.
The 3rd and 4th Respondents were served on 23rd May, 2011.
On 2nd June, 2011 the 1st and 2nd Respondents filed their joint reply to the petition and it was on the same day served on the Appellan…