BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Friday closed its case at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja without calling any witness.
The three-man tribunal chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi listened to the petition instituted by Dr Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the September 2024 election.
At the resumed sitting of the tribunal yesterday, counsel to INEC, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) said “my lord, after we left you yesterday we gave more thought to the matter and we felt the most sensible thing to do is to close the case of the first respondent and that is what we are doing resting on all that we have exhibited.”
He argued that INEC’s defence was adequately covered by the three documents it tendered in evidence before the tribunal the day before.
INEC had on Wednesday, through one of its counsels, Abdullahi Aliyu, tendered the Certified True Copy, CTC, of form EC8D, which is the collation of results at state level; the CTC of declaration of result and that of regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections 2022.
Aliyu told the tribunal that the commission intends to present five witnesses and assured that it would be able to close its case same day.
Counsel to the petitioners, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN) did not raise any objection to INEC’s decision to close its case.
Oyeyipo said “my lord, frankly speaking, we are not surprised and it is within his rights. We hope the second and third respondents will follow suit.”
Counsels to the second and third respondents, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and G.C DemIgwe did not also object and Justice Kpochi thereafter ruled INEC’s case closed.
Following the development, Ikpeazu requested the tribunal to grant them a date to present their case.
Counsel to the petitioners said next week was too far, suggesting that the case could be adjourned to Saturday for continuation, as it gives the second respondents time to prepare.
The tribunal chairman agreed with him and reminded Ikpeazu that he is aware that INEC had promised to close their case on Thursday, so asking for next week amounts to too much time.
Ikpeazu pleaded for more time by restating his case, arguing that yesterday was reserved for the first respondent and he had no idea that he would abruptly close its case since the tribunal had always taken three or so witnesses per day since it commenced sitting.
Justice Kpochi then adjourned sitting to Monday, February 10 for continuation of hearing.
