High Drama In Edo! Tribunal Halts Proceedings As PDP Candidate Fights Election Results

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday adjourned its proceedings to Tuesday, citing delays in serving the respondents with the petitioners’ witness schedule.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The petition, filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, challenges the results of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

During the session, counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Monday Okpebholo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) opposed the petitioners’ attempt to present witnesses. The respondents’ lawyers—Kanu Agabi, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, and Emmanuel Ukala—objected, claiming the witness schedule was provided only minutes before the hearing.

Ukala argued, “The Tribunal previously directed that witness schedules should be shared at least a day before testimony begins. Instead, we received the schedule around 9:50 a.m., just before the hearing. This practice defeats the purpose of ensuring no party is caught off guard. The petitioners have made today’s proceedings impractical, but we are prepared to continue tomorrow.”

Agabi and Ikpeazu concurred, emphasizing the importance of fairness and preparation.

Petitioners’ counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo, countered by attributing the delay to security concerns for their witnesses. “The delay wasn’t intentional. The APC state chairman issued threats on television, warning our witnesses and PDP supporters of arrest if they appeared in court. This caused uncertainty, and despite notifying the 3rd respondent’s counsel, we received no security assurances. We urge the Tribunal to proceed as we have only eight witnesses,” Oyeyipo said.

In his ruling, Tribunal Chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi sided with the respondents, stating they required sufficient time to prepare for cross-examination, and adjourned the proceedings to Tuesday