NO CONSPIRACY AGAINST GOVERNOR MONDAY OKPEBHOLO SHALL STAND. PDP AND ASUE IS FALLING DOWN.
Tribunal Orders Inspection of Evidence, Adjourns to January 17
The Edo State 2024 Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kachi, has directed parties to begin verifying documents submitted by the petitioners.
The case, EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, involving Ighodalo Asuerinme and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was adjourned to January 17, 2025.
At the hearing on January 15, the counsel representing the petitioners, tendered certified electoral documents and requested they be marked as exhibits. The respondents’ counsel, objected, stating the documents must first be filed and registered.
He had argued that filing was unnecessary but agreed to comply with the court's ruling. He noted that the respondents had received copies of the documents two weeks earlier without objection.
The tribunal then ordered each party to nominate two representatives for immediate document verification. Respondents’ counsel blamed delays on the petitioners’ failure to follow due process. The tribunal adjourned, citing the large volume of documents.
In the earlier petition of the day filed by Dr. Bright Enabulele and the Accord Party, against Monday Okpehbholo and 2 others, three witnesses testified. Cross-examinations revealed inconsistencies in their statements.
The first witness, Mr. Egbigere from Akoko Edo LGA, admitted he did not know the number of polling units in his area and lacked an INEC agent tag. He also failed to report alleged incidents of ballot theft.
The second witness, Ms. Daisy Nwachuku from Oredo LGA, served as a polling agent but had limited knowledge of the election details. She identified Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner but could not recall exact figures.
The third witness, Mrs. Victoria Ogbebor, faced discrepancies in her testimony. She struggled to provide accurate voting details and contradicted parts of her witness statement.
