By Emeka Amaefula
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL SITTING: INEC WITNESS ABSENT, ADJOURNS DEFENSE
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal at Abuja reconvened sitting on Monday 3rd of July, 2023 with the defense of the petition put forward by PDP and Labour Party Presidential candidates against, All Progressives Congress-APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kassim Shettima and Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC and others had adjourned sitting till Tuesday, 4th of July 2023 as a result of INEC’s inability to present its witness before the court. When the Matter was called up, INEC lawyers told the Tribunal that their witness disappointed them while asking for a new date to bring forward the witness.
INEC was represented by Mrs May Agbamuche, Labour Party was represented by Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, All Progressives Congress was represented by Odusanya George SAN, while Labour Party has led counsel Livy Uzoukwu SAN, INEC Legal representation was AB Mahmoud SAN, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kassim Shettima were represented by Wole Olanipekun. APC’s Lawyer L.O Fagbemi SAN was present too.
According to report at the sitting today before the Chairman of Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Tsammani stood INEC’s Lawyer who said “My lord this week is for defense and we have three witnesses to present. And we need three days but none of our witnesses is in court and I’m not sure if they are coming because I’ve not spoken to him yet. This is our unfortunate situation today and we would like to seek an adjournment until tomorrow.”
It was at this time Labour Party’s lawyer Livy Uzoukwu SAN stated thus “With due respect, my lord, I would have been happier if my learned colleague had been sincere with me and told me earlier about his situation. Maybe he is afraid of all the boxes we have bought and the ones in front of him.” And Livy Uzoukwu never raised objection of INEC’s request for adjournment of case till tomorrow. Justice Tsammani however adjourned the matter till tomorrow 4th of July, 2023 for INEC to present the witnesses.
Petitioners including Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar presented 27 Witnesses as Labour Party’s Presidential candidate Peter Obi presented 13 witnesses challenging the Presidential election results declared by INEC which gave victory to Bola Ahmed Tinubu of All Progressives Congress-APC.
