The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opted not to present witnesses in its defence at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.
At the tribunal’s resumed hearing on Thursday, INEC, represented by its lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, announced that it would not be calling any witnesses to support its declaration of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the September 21 governorship election.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that INEC declared Okpebholo the winner of the Edo governorship election with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Ighodalo, who polled 247,655 votes.
This decision came as a surprise, given that just a day earlier, INEC informed the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led panel that it lined up five witnesses to testify in support of the election results.
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The commission even requested an adjournment to allow its witnesses to travel from Benin, Edo State, to Abuja.
However, when proceedings resumed, Agabi told the tribunal that after further consideration, INEC decided to close its defence without presenting any witnesses.
“My Lords, after we left you yesterday, we reconsidered the matter and concluded that the most reasonable course of action was to close the case of the 1st Respondent, which we hereby do”, Agabi stated.
In response, the petitioners—Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his legal team—said they were not surprised by INEC’s decision.
“Frankly speaking, we are not surprised, and it is well within the right of the 1st Respondent to make such a decision. We have no objections,” said PDP’s counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo.
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With INEC closing its case, counsel for Governor Okpebholo, Onyechi Ikpeazu and D. C. Dewigwe representing the APC requested an adjournment to prepare their defence.
The tribunal granted their request and adjourned the case to Monday when Governor Okpebholo is expected to open his defence.