The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday admitted all documentary evidence tendered by the Edo PDP Governorship Candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in support of his petition challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State.
At the resumed hearing of the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, the Tribunal accepted the 1,004 documents presented by the petitioners, despite objections raised by the counsels for the respondents—INEC and Senator Okpebholo.
The admitted evidence includes Certified True Copies (CTC) of INEC’s declaration of results forms EC8A-E and local government area (LGA) summary results used during the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
READ ALSO: Edo Election Tribunal to begin full hearing on Ighodalo vs Okpebholo case Wednesday
Leading the application for the admission of these documents, the petitioners’ lead counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), argued that the verification process was duly completed in the presence of lawyers representing all parties and the Tribunal Registrar.
He subsequently tendered the evidence for the court’s consideration.
However, counsels for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respondents—Kanu Agabi (SAN), Onyechi Ikpeazu, and VC Dewigwe—objected to the submission of the documents.
Despite their opposition, the Tribunal ruled in favour of the petitioners and admitted the evidence.
With this development, the petitioners, Ighodalo and the PDP, are now set to lead oral evidence to bolster their case against INEC’s declaration of Senator Okpebholo as governor.
