PDP Presents Additional Witnesses in Edo Election Tribunal Against Okpebholo’s Victory
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, continued their legal challenge on Wednesday, presenting three more witnesses in their bid to nullify Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory.
The petitioners had commenced their case on Tuesday by calling three witnesses from Ikpoba-Okha, Akoko-Edo, and Owan West Local Government Areas, who alleged electoral irregularities.
During Wednesday’s proceedings before the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, three additional witnesses were brought forward, also claiming that the election was fraught with widespread malpractices.
One of the witnesses, Destiny Enabulele, while being led in evidence by petitioners’ counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), stated that his witness statement was based on irregularities he observed during the election and an examination of electoral documents.
“These are documents I personally examined carefully to arrive at my witness statement on oath. There was no prior recording of sensitive materials deployed by INEC to 19 polling units in Ovia South West Local Government Area,” Enabulele told the tribunal.
However, when questioned by the respondents’ legal team, he admitted that he only participated in preparing Form EC8C (Ward Collation Result), raising concerns about the basis of his claims.
Discrepancies in Witness Testimonies
A dramatic moment unfolded when Babah Idenobhe, another PDP witness from Etsako West Local Government Area, alleged over-voting in three polling units (Units 021-023). However, it was discovered that some of the documents he referenced were certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on January 8, 2025, whereas his witness statement was deposed as early as October 10, 2024, casting doubts on the credibility of his testimony.
Similarly, Moses Agbukor, a PDP collation agent from Etsako East Local Government Area, also alleged over-voting. He sought to submit his party’s Ward Collation Agent Tag and his sworn witness statement as evidence.
However, the respondents’ counsels, including INEC’s lawyer, Kalu Agabi (SAN); Governor Okpebholo’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN); and APC’s counsel, Ukala (SAN), objected to the admissibility of the documents.
Justice Kpochi ruled that the documents would be provisionally admitted as evidence pending further deliberations.
The tribunal subsequently adjourned proceedings until today (Thursday) for the continuation of the hearing.
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