The court proceedings between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the case against Tinubu and Shettima have been filled with dramatic moments and heated exchanges. In this CURRENT REPORT BLOG post, latest developments, including the PDP witness’s controversial tendering of documents such as a Chicago State University certificate and a Guinean passport. CURRENT REPORT BLOG also highlight the intense cross-examination by Tinubu’s lawyer and the closing of the PDP’s case.
PDP Witness Tenders Surprising Documents
During the court proceedings, a PDP witness caused a stir by presenting a Chicago State University certificate and a Guinean passport. The witness, under cross-examination by Tinubu’s lawyer, Olanipekun, claimed to have obtained these documents directly from the respective institutions. However, Olanipekun questioned the witness’s custodianship over the documents, leading to a tense exchange.
The Witness’s Defense
Despite being challenged by Tinubu lawyer, the witness vehemently defended his possession of the Chicago State University certificate and the Guinean passport. He insisted that he had applied to the university and obtained the documents legally. Regarding the Guinean passport, he cited former Guinean President Alpha Conde’s statement confirming Tinubu’s citizenship.
Intense Cross-Examination and Courtroom Reactions
Tensions escalated as Olanipekun raised his voice, urging the witness to answer his questions directly. The court intervened, with Justice Tsammani and Justice Bello urging the witness to respond to the lawyer’s inquiries. Despite the court’s interventions, the witness persisted in referring to President Alpha Conde’s statement as his defense.
Acceptance of Documents and PDP’s Petition Progress
Despite objections from INEC counsel, the court overruled and accepted the documents presented by the witness, including the Chicago State University certificate, NYSC certificate, party membership card, and certificate of service from Mobil Oils. The court based its decision on the merit of the evidence.
The Star Witness Cross-Examination
The PDP star witness faced cross-examination from the 1st Respondent A.B. Mahmoud, representing INEC. The details of this cross-examination were not provided in the given text.
Closing of the PDP Case
Following the witness’s testimony, the PDP closed its case. This witness was their final witness, and their lawyers formally applied for the closure of the case on behalf of the petitioners.
The court proceedings between the PDP, INEC, and Tinubu have been marked by dramatic moments and contentious exchanges. The introduction of surprising documents by the PDP witness, including a Chicago State University certificate and a Guinean passport, created a stir in the courtroom. While Tinubu’s lawyer questioned the witness’s custodianship over the documents, the witness stood firm in defending their authenticity. The court accepted the documents on their merit, and the PDP subsequently closed its case. The proceedings continue to captivate audiences, and the final judgment will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape.
