(From right): Labour Party candidates, Peter Obi and Datti Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, INEC commissioners, at the PEPT, Wednesday, May 31
PDP tenders more documents before PEPT, as LP, Obi seek adjournment over sick SANs
Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) sitting in Abuja resumed hearing, Wednesday, in the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Partry (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, alongside that of the Labour Party (LP) and its flagbearer in the February 25, 2023 poll, Peter Obi, adjourned Tuesday, with documents tendered.
Tuesday’s hearing had featured same documents tendered by the PDP/Atiku, while LP/Obi had also presented documents as evidence, but with the its first witness called up to testify in the $460, 000 forfeiture charge against the second and third respondents (Bola Tinubu/ All Progressives Congress).
The witness, a barrister once resident of the United States but now based in Anambra State was first examined in Chief by J.S Okutekpa SAN , and he tendered the documents contained in the Schedule of Documents from the bar.
The witness gave his testimony, was examined and cross-examined by counsels to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu/Shettima and APC on the narcotic and money forfeiture charge.
Evidences against Tinubu’s narcotics money forfeiture were also admitted by the PEPT.
Schedule of documents filed by LP counsel were labelled Exhibit PA. The filed Schedule contains documents marked as Exhibit PA1-4.
These documents are; INEC EC 11A, INEC EC 11C, INEC EC9 and INEC EC9 (Substitute)
Court adjourned till Wednesday, May 31 on the PDP and LP hearing.
However, for the resumed hearing, Wednesday, the PDP/Atiku counsels tendered more documents as exhibits, but with INEC, Tinubu, and APC opposing their request to tender result sheets from polling units, and other electoral materials.
However, PEPT chairman, Justice Haruna Tsammani admitted the electoral documents and allowed PDP to tender them as evidence.
On their part, LP/Obi counsels sought an adjournment following their claim that some members of their legal team reported sick.
Tinubu and Shettima: He (Kalu Awa) is my senior colleague Sir, so no objection to the adjournment.
Fagbemi: No objection my Lord.
Justice Tsammani: Okay then, the case is hereby adjourned to tomorrow 1st June, 2023.
The PEPT chairman, therefore, adjourned till Thursday, June 1 for further hearing.
