Tony Okafor



A mild drama occurred at the Anambra State Election Tribunal on Friday when a lawyer , Mr . Nkem Ekweozor , broke into tears while handling a senatorial election matter.

Ekweozor , who was the candidate of the Mega Progressive Peoples Party in the January 13 Anambra senatorial rerun election , represented himself in a petition he filed against Senator Victor Umeh declared winner of the poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

But half way during his cross -examination of Umeh , Ekweozor could not continue as he lowered his face and began to cry , cleaning his face with a white handkerchief.

Noticing the situation, the chairman of the tribunal , Justice H. A. Olusiyi, asked , “ What is happening here? You are crying.

What for? Oh, my God , a lawyer crying in court ? This is unusual . How will all these people in court see you ? Do you think they will hire you tomorrow to defend them? I have not seen a thing like this before ; a lawyer crying in court?

“ Counsel this not the right thing to do . We (lawyers ) are trained not to be emotional . This is not the final court; if you don’ t get what you want here, you can go upstairs . Lawyers don’ t cry . ”

Responding, Ekweozor apologised for his outburst , saying , “ My Lord I’ m sorry for this . I was crying for justice . My opponents here want to intimate me . My lord , I am weeping for justice . I am sorry. ”

However , Umeh , who represents Anambra Central Senatorial district , denied that irregularities marred the election that made him a senator .

He stated this during a cross -examination at the tribunal , adding that the election was a walkover for him as he defeated his opponents overwhelmingly.

Ekweozor had, while cross -examining Umeh , accused him of screening himself to emerge the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in 2014 when he was still the national chairman of the party .

But in his response, Umeh said he was not a member of the APGA screening committee during the exercise .

The matter was adjourned till July 12 for adoption of addresses .

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