ADVERTISEMENT

Presidential tribunal admits Obi’s video flash drive in evidence

The counsel informed the court that two subpoenas dated May 30 and June 6 were served on the TV station to produce the video clips.

Presidential tribunal admits Obi’s video flash drive in evidence.

Obi and his Labour Party (LP) are petitioners in the petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023 challenging the election which brought president Bola Tinubu into power

Respondents are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) president Bola Tinubu and Vice president Kashim Shettima and All Progressives Congress (APC).

The court admitted two video flash drive tendered through a subpoenaed witness of Obi and his Party.

ADVERTISEMENT

At the resumed hearing of the petition, Levi Uzoukwu, SAN counsel for the petitioners, told the court, the proceeding would be conducted by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN.

He said the proceeding would also require software engineering.

A subpoenaed witness from channels TV was called, named Lucky Obowo-Isawode, a reporter and editor.

The counsel informed the court that two subpoenas dated May 30 and June 6 were served on the TV station to produce the video clips.

The video clips, he said, are an interview with the chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

ADVERTISEMENT

The second one is that of Festus Okoye National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC.

The respondents counsel are Kemi Pinhero, SAN for INEC, Akin Olujimi, SAN for president Tinubu and Vice president Shittema, Afolabi Fashanu, SAN for APC.

They all did not oppose the witness but objected to his adoption of his statement on oath.

Olujimi for the 2nd and 3rd respondents objected to the adoption of his witness statement on oath

According to him, it is against the provision in the Electoral Act

ADVERTISEMENT

It is settled that election petition must be filed within 21 days after the announcement of the election.

”The documents sent out must be accompanied by the petition, list of witnesses and their statements.

”The witness statement was filed today, three months after the announcement of the results,” he said.

He added that he has looked at the pages of petition and did not see the name of the witness.

”The witness s not competent to testify before this court, this point have been settled in the decision of this court,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Pinhero aligned with the submission by Olujimi.

”The petitioners were aware of the videos and ought to have filed it along with the petition as required by the law.”

He therefore urged the court to discountance the adoption and uphold the objection.

Fashanu for APC aligned with the submissions of the other respondents ‘counsel.

He added that there is no distinction between a subpoenaed witness and ordinary witness for the purposes of compliance.

ADVERTISEMENT

He therefore urged the court to uphold the objection and refuse the adoption for void of merit.

Okutepa told the court if there is something to dismiss, it is the objections of the respondents.

”A subpoena we know is an order of the court issued against a person .

”It is not a witness in control of the petitioner or respondent and is competent to testify.

”If a subpoenaed witness can testify orally what injury would we suffer? I submit, none.

ADVERTISEMENT

”It will rather quicken the hands of justice” he said.

No injury should be suffered, I therefore urge the court to overrule the objection, you need to see the video.

He told the court that the evidence the subpoenaed witness brought were Live interviews with INEC chairman and Festus Okoye.

The videos flash drive were tendered and admitted in evidence and the counsel prayed that it should be played.

Olujimi objected that it should not be played because the flash drive was not served on them.

ADVERTISEMENT

He submitted that they don’t know what the contents of the flash drive was, and need to know in other to prepare themselves.

”Having not served us before the proceeding, it would not be in the interest of fair hearing” he said.

Fashanu for APC aligned with Olujimi while Pinhero for INEC said the video can be played since it is already admitted in evidence.

Meanwhile, the five-member panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until tomorrow for the videos to be played and further hearing of the petition.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

BREAKING: Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT