The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Monday, affirmed Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the validly elected governor of Benue State.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, dismissed as lacking in merit an appeal the candidate of the PDP, Titus Uba, filed to challenge the outcome of the gubernatorial election held in the state on March 18.
The court held that it found no reason to set aside the judgment of the Benue State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which held, on September 23, validated the election victory of Alia as governor.
It held that some of the grounds the PDP candidate raised in his appeal, not only bordered on pre-election issues but also had elements of crime.
According to the appellate court, the appellants (Uba and the PDP), had raised the issue of forgery against the Deputy Governor of the state, Samuel Ode.
It held that since such allegation was criminal in nature, it ought to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
The appellate court held that the appellants failed to discharge the burden of proof that was placed on them by the law.
Consequently, it resolved all the issues that were raised in the appeal against the appellants.