Obi’s counsel lambasts INEC over absence of witness in court

Peter Obi’s counsel lambasts INEC over absence of witness in court

Dr Levi Uzoukwu (SAN), the leading counsel to the Labour Party (LP) and Peter Obi has blasted Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for showing a lack of preparation in defending its case at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPC). Uzoukwu made this comment on Monday, shortly after the court adjourned its resumed sitting, following the absence of INEC’s first defence witness.

Peter Obi’s counsel lambasts INEC over absence of witness in court

Dr Levi Uzoukwu (SAN) The PEPC was forced to adjourn after the first of three witnesses scheduled to appear on behalf of INEC failed to appear allegedly on account of what the commission cited as domestic issues. Speaking to newsmen just outside the court, the LP lawyer said his camp has a strong case and are ready to move on with their case, unlike the INEC that has continued to show inconsistencies. “Given the contradictions and inconsistencies and what INEC has done; I’m sure they are not ready to defend this case. “I stand to be proven wrong, but I would wish that they defend this matter so that the public will see more things of what happened to this election,” he told Channels Television While reiterating that Nigeria has never had an election like the February 25th presidential poll, the legal counsel stressed that it is the INEC’s choice to either call a witness or witnesses, adding that he and his client the LP, are ready at all times. It would be recalled that at the mention of the case around 9:30 am, lawyer to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), told the court that although his client planned to call three witnesses within three days, the one slated for today was unavailable on account of domestic issues. Lawyers to other parties in the case – Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) for Obi/LP, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettma, and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not object to the request by the INEC lawyer.

“INEC deliberately delaying proceedings, refusing to provide documents we asked for” ― Peter Obi’s counsel cries out

"INEC deliberately delaying proceedings, refusing to provide documents we asked for" ― Peter Obi cries out

The Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi on Monday alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is deliberately delaying proceedings by refusing to provide the documents they asked for. Obi and the LP are petitioners in the petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023 challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu.

"INEC deliberately delaying proceedings, refusing to provide documents we asked for" ― Peter Obi cries out

Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi Respondents are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) president Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima and All Progressives Congress (APC). The LP and Obi told the Presidential Election Petition Court that due to INEC ‘s refusal to provide them the documents they asked for, they can’t go on with their case. Mr Jubrin Okutepa, counsel for the LP, told the court that all the documents his client asked for from INEC were not provided. ” We are bringing this to your notice for your intervention because we have done everything humanly possible. ” This afternoon, INEC released few IreV reports from Lagos and Gombe. ” These documents were certified since May 29. We have severally written letters detailing the documents we needed as proof of our petition. ” We have paid for most of these documents, “he said. He further informed the court that it appears that INEC was deliberately delaying proceedings. Mr Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN counsel for INEC, told the court that he received a letter dated May 15 from the petitioners and has not received any other letter after that. ” All the documents that the subpoenaed witnesses are tendering were provided by INEC. We never denied the petitioners any document. “I am a senior counsel and know the importance of this matter. They should stop this lamentation, ” he said. Mr Wole Olanipakun, SAN counsel for Tinubu and Shettima promised to ensure that a meeting between senior counsel holds to address the issues raised. The court urged them to come to a better understanding so that the proceeding can go on smoothly as they pledged in their spirit of cooperation. The petitioners through their counsel, Patrick Ikweato, SAN brought their seventh witness (PW 7) to come and testify. The subpoenaed witness, Loretta Ogah, is an architect with Amazon Web Services Incorporated (AWS) At the point of adopting her witness statement on oath, the respondents objected. Mahmoud, told the court that the petitioners just served them with the documents. ” I will not be in the position to examine the witness today, I need to study the documents ” he said. Olanipakun also objected to adoption of the witness statement. ” We are not saying that the witness should not go on with her evidence,” he said. The petitioners tendered the witness’s employment letter by Amazon and her resumé and were admitted in evidence. Also admitted were six reports showing the health status of AWS dashboard of cloud services in 33 regions and certificates of compliance. Meanwhile, the five-member panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until Tuesday for the cross-examination of the witness and further hearing of the petition.