Ayade has no case against my election – Senator Jarigbe
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Counsel to Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe in the ongoing senatorial elections petition tribunal in Cross River State, Mba Ukweni, SAN says the former governor Ben Ayade has no case against the election of Senator Jarigbe.
He disclosed this shortly after the days proceeding in the case instituted by the former governor and his party against the Peoples Democratic Party candidate which has as suit number EPT/CR/SEN/02/2023.
Speaking after the days hearing where the petitioners had so far called twelve witnesses, he said they have so far been able to prove that most of their statements were false.
In his words after the days hearing, the senior Advocate said “we continued with the hearing and the petitioner still presented his witnesses.
“We are Cross examining the witnesses to show clearly that what they aver in their petition and their statement on oath are false based on the documents they themselves have tabled.
“They said there was over-voting and we confronted them with the BIVAS report showing that there was no over-voting, that the same number of votes the presiding officer recorded are the same number of votes carried in the BIVAS.
“We have not tendered one single report, exhibit or document and are relying on their documents to show that on the basis of their own document, they have no case, that is precisely what we are doing”, he said.
However, counsel to Senator Ben Ayade, Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said they presented their twelveth witness who gave a good account of themselves and demonstrated the malpractices that took place during the elections.
“As at today, we have twelve major witnesses from polling units, LGA’s, collation agents that spoke beautifully and confidently.
“The evidence of the witnesses which runs through their pleadings reveal cases of multiple mutilation of votes, some erasures, over voting, BIVAS report, accreditation report, for not complying with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the guidelines issued by INEC itself” he said.
He added that it is not the number of witnesses that you call that win the case but the quality of evidence of the witnesses, that’s what the Supreme Court said.
He stressed that none of their witnesses was shaken under Cross examination, they maintained their stories and even expatiated to show the anomalies that dogged the elections.
The hearing which takes place daily will continue by 10 am tomorrow and is presided over by Justice M. A. Sambo.
