Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, opened and closed his case yesterday at the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, calling only one witness.
At the resumed hearing, lead counsel to Okpebholo, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu, informed the tribunal that his client’s business of the day was to open his case.
Ikpeazu prayed that Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led’s three-member tribunal should allow him to call his only witness.
At the opening of the case, the sole witness of Governor Okpebholo from Ward 7, unit 4, Ovia South West, Majek Osumah, testified that the election was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere. He, however, noted that the result of ward 7, unit 4, was cancelled due to over-voting.
In his evidence, he stated that he worked as the polling unit agent and that in the form EC8B (which is the result sheet at the ward level), the column for the result of his unit had no record.
Under cross-examination, the witness agreed that there was over-voting in his polling unit and affirmed that accreditation and voting took place simultaneously in his unit.
Majek told the tribunal that he complained to the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the result he entered on the result sheet after he signed it. After Majek’s testimony, Ikpeazu applied to close his client’s defence.
The tribunal granted the application, especially as there was no objection from the other counsel. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Mr Asue Ighodalo, had approached the tribunal praying it to invalidate the outcome of the governorship election.
The petitioners had sought the invalidation of the governorship election on the grounds of
alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022. They further contended that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of votes cast in that election.
Meanwhile, the tribunal has adjourned proceedings till February 12 for the APC to open its case.
“The onus of proof is on him that alleges. Since the challengers have failed woefully in proving their case, it is needless and time-wasting for the APC to begin to massage the ego of the PDP by presenting witnesses. No need dignifying with a response, where none is expected,” one of the lawyers to Okpebholo told newsmen.
“The response of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC is both strategic, stunning and iconic,” APC State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe added.
“Interesting days are here indeed. All of a sudden, the joy of the PDP and their supporters have been cut short. Nowhere to lean on again for support. No one is even willing to allow them to rant and let out their frustrations. It is sad indeed. These are hard times for Asue, the PDP and their supporters. The party of orphans is left drenched in the rain as they look on, hopelessly, frustrated.
“Ighodalo, the once self-acclaimed legal icon is taking Legal Method 101 lessons from Monday Okpebholo, the artesian. What an interesting time to be a Nigerian. Truly, interesting days are upon us”, Tenebe added.
