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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed to present its witnesses before the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.
At the tribunal’s session on Thursday, the electoral body did not call any witnesses to defend its declaration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
Through its legal team, led by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi (SAN), INEC informed the tribunal that it would not be producing any witnesses.
This announcement came just 24 hours after the Commission had assured the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led panel that five witnesses were prepared to testify in support of the election result. INEC had even requested an adjournment until Thursday, stating that its witnesses would be travelling from Benin, Edo State, to Abuja.
However, when the hearing resumed, INEC’s lead counsel, Agabi (SAN), revealed that, upon review, the Commission had decided not to proceed with presenting witnesses.
“My lords, after we left you yesterday (Wednesday), we reconsidered the matter and concluded that the most sensible course of action is to close the case of the 1st Respondent, which we hereby do,” Agabi stated.
The petitioners, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, said they were not surprised by INEC’s decision.
“Frankly speaking, we are not surprised, and it is well within the rights of the 1st Respondent to exercise such discretion. We have no objection,” said Adetunji Oyeyipo, counsel for the petitioners.
Adjournment for Defence
Following the closure of INEC’s case, counsels for Governor Okpebholo and the APC, Onyechi Ikpeazu and D. C. Dewigwe, did not oppose the decision but requested an adjournment to allow them time to gather their witnesses and prepare their cases.
As a result, the tribunal adjourned proceedings until Monday, when Governor Okpebholo is expected to open his defence against the petition.
INEC had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ighodalo of the PDP, who obtained 247,655 votes.
