In a high-stakes court case
involving Peter Obi, the Labour Party, the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC), and President Tinubu and Vice- President Shettima, the
proceedings have been adjourned till tomorrow. Current Report Blog provides
live updates on the court hearing and the arguments presented by the parties
involved.
Court Proceedings: Day 1
During the court session, the
Labour Party (LP) requested to tender supplementary IREV reports certified by
INEC for Gombe state, Benue state, and Cross Rivers state. However, objections
were raised by the respondents regarding the acceptability of the documents.
The LP convinced the court that they would respond to the objections in their
final written speech. However, the LP wanted to
tender IREV reports for Lagos state, excluding one LGA. Again, objections were elevated
by the respondents, and the LP conveyed their intention to respond to these
objections in their final written speech.
Furthermore, the LP applied to
tender certificates of compliance from Edo state. Some defendants objected to
the acceptability of these certificates, while others had no objections. The LP
indicated that they would respond to the objections raised in their final
written speech. The court noticeable various
exhibits presented during the proceedings, including reports, certificates, and
other relevant documents.
Court Proceedings: Day 2
The court continued the
session with the LP calling a witness, Kephas Iya, who is a civil servant and an
INEC ad-hoc staff. The witness was subpoenaed to give evidence in the case. The
LP requested to tender the witness’s subpoena as evidence, and the respondents
had no objections.
The LP continued to question
the witness about his role as a supervisory presiding officer in Adamawa state.
The first respondent cross-examined the witness, focusing on the smooth conduct
of voting, the role of party agents, and the proper announcement of results.
Afterwards, the second and
third respondents cross-examined the witness, point out his impartiality as an
INEC ad-hoc staff and observer. They questioned the witness about the
compliance with the electoral act, the use of BVAS machines, and the uploading
of results.
The fourth respondent given
the witness and chose not to cross-examine him.
Court Proceedings: Day 3
The court persistent with the
examination of witnesses. Onoja Loko Sunday, a staff member of the Women Child
Rescue Initiative, appeared as a witness. He presented his identification card
as an observer of the 2023 Presidential elections, which the LP sought to
tender as evidence. The respondents objected to the acceptability, conveying
their reasons for objection, which they would present in their final address.
Following Sunday’s testimony,
the LP called another witness, Onoja Loko Sunday, from the Women Child Rescue
Initiative. The witness confirmed his identity and role as a staff member. The
LP reduested to tender the witness’s subpoena, which was accepted without
objections from the respondents.
Conclusion
The Presidential Election
Petition Tribunal (PEPT) court case concerning Peter Obi, the Labour Party,
INEC, Tinubu, and Shettima has reached an important phase. This Current Report
Blog post provided live updates on the court proceedings, including objections
from the respondents, the tendering of documents, cross-examinations of
witnesses, and the marking of exhibits. Stay tuned for further updates as the
case unfolds.
