ADVERTISEMENT

More witnesses testify for Obaseki

The petitioners listed INEC, Obaseki and the APC as first, second and third respondents, respectively.

32 year old man in court for stealing mobile phone.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, are challenging the declaration by INEC of Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election.

Ize-Iyamu had since closed his case after calling 91 witnesses and tendered several pieces of evidence to prove his case of alleged irregularity in some polling units and polling wards in the 18 local government areas of the state.

INEC, however, as first respondent, did not call any witness, but only tendered pieces of evidence to prove that the governorship election was freely and fairly conducted and that its declaration of Obaseki was in order.

ADVERTISEMENT

Obaseki, as second respondent, opened his defence on Thursday, calling 12 witnesses in defence of his case.

At the resumed hearing on Friday, led in evidence by Obaseki’s counsel, Mr Adetunji Oyeyepo, SAN, the witnesses, who gave oral evidence after adoption of their written statements, claimed that INEC conducted the said election in line with the electoral act.

The witnesses, who acted and testified as APC polling unit agents were : Joseph Ikponwmwonosa, Clement Obazee, Monday Efeloni, Bright Enodiana, Paul Aghiyisi and Osaretin Enaruna.

The witnesses in their oral evidence, who maintained that accreditation and voting took place simultaneously on Sept. 28, 2016, however, contradicted their oral evidence under cross examination.

Crossed examined by the petitioners’ counsel, Mr Roland Otaru, SAN, Ikponwonosa testified that his name was ticked both to the right and left in the voters’ register because he was duly accredited before he voted in the said election.

ADVERTISEMENT

But the witness could not, however, proffer answers to why some names in the same voters’ register were ticked only to the right, meaning that they voted without being accredited.

Like other witnesses, Enaruna, who earlier testified that his name on the voters’ register was ticked twice to represent accreditation and voting, under cross- examination, could also not provide answers to the petitioner’s counsel’s question.

Cross-examined by Dr Kayode Olatoke, SAN, INEC’s counsel, Enaruna said that “it will be wrong for anybody to say that voters were not properly accredited before they voted in my polling unit."“As APC agent, accreditation and voting were simultaneous and there was no complaint from any quarters,’’ he said.But under cross-examination by Otaru, the witness could not answer why names ticked to the right on the voter register were never ticked to the left, to show they were accredited before they voted.“Yes, this is my name on item 156 in the voters’ register, exhibit PO273. INEC official ticked it twice to show i was accredited before I voted.’’Confronted further with same document, the witness said: “I agree that all tickings are to the right and not to the left."“I agree that the ticking to the right was done by an INEC official,’’ the witness responded.As at the time of filing this report, when the tribunal rose for a three-hour recess, only six witnesses had testified.

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

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

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