In continuation of the hearing of 2023 elections before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) in Abuja, the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Thursday, tendered no fewer than 18,088 blurred polling unit result sheets among other documents.
Counsel to the Petitioners, Onyechi Ikpeazu tendered the documents through the petitioners’ fourth witness (PW4), Eric Ofoedu, who is a Professor of Mathematics at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The petitioners also tendered report of the witness’ analysis of some election materials, a copy of a letter, written to him by the LP, dated 20 February, 2023, engaging Professor Ofoedu to help the party analyze data in respect of the 25 February presidential election and the subpoena issued on him to attend court and produce the said documents.
Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abubakar Mahmoud, Wole Olanipekun representing President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettma, and Lateef Fagbemi for the All Progressives Congress (APC) objected to the tendering of majority of the documents with a promise to adduce reasons for their objection at the final stage of their written addresses
Lawyers to the respondents expressed displeasure that the petitioners only served them the written statement of Professor Ofoedu a few minutes before the court arguing that they ought to be served earlier to enable them study the statement for the purpose of cross examination.
The petitioners also called its fifth witness (PW5), Lumnie Edevbie, another subpoenaed witness from a private television channel station who tendered a flash drive, containing a video recording of a presentation by INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu at the Chatham House, London.
Here’s a brief summary of proceedings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, as published by the Labour Party.
“BRIEF SUMMARY OF PEPT PROCEEDINGS FOR TODAY
(Thursday, June 15th 2023)
—Proceedings Began at About 9:40am
—LP Brought a Massive Collection of Evidence & 2 HD TVs to Play Videos
—HE Peter Obi Represented the Petitioners
—LP’s Counsel Appearance was Led By Dr Livy Uzoukwu SAN
—LP’s Proceedings Was Led By Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN (1st Witness) & PIN Ikwueto SAN( 2nd Witness)
—1st Withess For Today ( Star Witness & 4th So Far), is Prof of Math from Nnnamdi Azikiwe Univ, Eric U Ofoedu
—Respondents Objected, Stating That They Were Just Served the Witness’ Statement This Morning; Court Decided He Would Be Examined in Chief but Cross Examined Tomorrow by 9am
—Witness’ Examination in Chief Was Done but Respondents Objected to the Adoption of Witness’ Statement
—LP Attempted to Make Corrections on the Witness’ Statement Under Oath but Was Objected by Respondents Stating That They Should Be Withdrawn, Amended & Re-tendered. However, Court Admitted.
—Three Reports From The Witness Was Presented under Examination, Objected by Respondents , Admitted by Court & Tagged Respectively
—18,088 Blurred Polling Units Results Were Tendered, Opposed By Respondents & Admitted by Court
—Letter of Engagement & Subpoena From 2nd Petitioner to Witness was Tendered
1st, 2nd & 3rd Respondents Objected the Letter but not the Subpoena
4th Respondent Did Not Object the Letter but Objected the Subpoena
—Court Admitted Both The Letter & Subpoena, Tagged Them with an Exh Number and Stated That He Will Be Cross Examined Tomorrow
—A Second Witness, Lumie Idevbie (2nd Witness for Today & 5th So Far), A Staff of Arise Tv, Was Called Up. There Was No Objections on His Subpoena and Court Admitted.
—His ID Card Was Presented, No Objections from Respondents, Admitted & Tagged by Court
—A Written Statement on Oath Filed by The Witness to Be Adopted as Evidence Was Objected by Respondents but Admitted by Court
—FlashDrive Brought By Witness Containing Video Evidence Was Objected by Respondents but Admitted by Court
—Respondents Didn’t Object to The Video Being Played. The 10mins Video Was of INEC Chair, Prof Yakubu Mahmood Speaking at Chatham House About Elections & BVAS
—Witness to Be Cross Examined Tomorrow
—Proceedings Ended at About 12:49pm and Adjourned Till Tomorrow, Friday June 16th 2023 by 9am.”
