Politics
Okpebholo closes case in petition challenging election in Edo
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Monday opened his case at the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja.
The governor opened and closed his case by calling only one witness.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo are challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024 election over alleged widespread irregularities.
At the resumed hearing, the governor’s counsel, Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), told the tribunal that the business of the day was for his client to open his case.
Ikpeazu urged Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal to allow him to call his only witness.
The witness, Mr. Usman Majek told the tribunal that he was a polling unit agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the election.
READ ALSO: Edo police rescue kidnapping victim, arrest cultist, recover stolen car
Under cross examination, the witness agreed that there was over voting in his polling unit.
He also affirmed that in his unit, accreditation and voting took place simultaneously.
Majek told the tribunal that he complained to the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the result he entered on the result sheet after he signed it.
After Majek’s testimony, Ikpeazu applied to close the defence of his client.
The tribunal granted the application especially as there was no objection from the other counsel.
The tribunal adjourned proceedings till February 12 for the APC to open its case.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
SPECIAL REPORT: In Sokoto, classrooms overtaken by goats, reptiles, as insecurity, lack of teachers, govt inaction push children out of school
SHEHU MUHAMMAD SHEHU reports on how insecurity, government inaction and lack of qualified teachers has significantly forced up the number...
INVESTIGATION: Abia residents in pains, as contractor abandons erosion control project after collecting N185m
Fresh from fashion school in 2022, Onuka Kalu planned to convert one of his father’s two shops, where he formerly...
Trump halts $50m Gaza aid, cites ‘condoms in Gaza’ claim
In a sweeping move to reassess U.S. foreign aid spending, President Donald Trump has frozen a $50 million assistance package...
INVESTIGATION: In Zamfara, forgotten Health Center throws community into health crisis
In the late evening of Friday, September 14, 2024, shortly after the Maghrib prayer, Bashir Muhammad, a 34-year-old father of...
INVESTIGATION: Insufficient teachers, learning materials worsen education access in Kwara communities
Qudus, a Junior Secondary School (JSS 2) pupil, would sit the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in a year to...