Ogun Tribunal: INEC, Closes Case Without Calling Witnesses Against Adebutu Petitioners’ Evidence
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has closed its defence in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, challenging the election of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.
The election petition tribunal, sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, adjourned the hearing till Friday when Abiodun will open his case as the second respondent.
Adebutu and PDP are contesting the outcome of the March 18 governorship election, alleging that it was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
They claimed that over 40,000 voters were disenfranchised by thugs who disrupted the voting process in more than 99 polling units across the state.
They also accused INEC of manipulating the results in favour of Abiodun and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The petitioners had called 94 witnesses and tendered over 200,000 documents to prove their case before the tribunal.
They also subpoenaed two INEC ad-hoc staff, a WAEC official, a statistician and a forensic analyst to testify on their behalf.
However, INEC, as the first respondent, decided not to call any witness to counter the petitioners’ evidence.
INEC’s counsel, Olumide Ogidan, told the tribunal on Wednesday that the commission would rest its case on that of the petitioners.
He said INEC was confident that the petitioners had not established any prima facie case against the commission or the election.
The counsel for the petitioners, Gordy Uche, did not object to INEC’s decision to close its case without calling any witnesses.
He said it was INEC’s right to defend its case as it deemed fit.
The counsel for Abiodun, Prof Taiwo Osipitan, requested an adjournment till Friday to enable him to open his case as the second respondent.
He said he had just served a subpoena on a party and needed time for the party to produce the documents requested.
The counsel for APC, Tayo Oyetibo, did not oppose the application for adjournment.
The tribunal chairman, Hamidu Kunaza, granted the request and adjourned the hearing till Friday.
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