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In a stunning twist at the ongoing Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three member Edo State Governorship Election Petition tribunal sitting in Abuja, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s legal team on Monday, 10th February 2025, abruptly closed their case after their first key witness faltered under intense cross-examination by Counsels to the Petitioners, Peoples Democratic Parry(PDP) and Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
The unexpected development sent shockwaves through the packed courtroom, leaving supporters and legal experts alike in disbelief.
It may be recalled that PDP and its Governorship Candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo had filed a petition challenging INEC’s declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State. At the resumed hearing of the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024 on Monday 10th February 2025, Counsels to 2nd Respondent(Okpebholo) led by Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, were billed to present six(6) witnesses in defence of multiple claims of Over voting, non serialization of Electoral materials and incorrect computation of results by INEC in favour of APC that allegedly characterized the September 21st Governorship Election in Edo State.
The drama started when Okpebholo’s witness, Usman Majek, a farmer and key figure in the defence, admitted under cross examination to instances of multiple over voting in Ovia South West Local Government Area, the stronghold and home LGA of incumbent Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Dennis Idahosa. The admission did not go down well with the respondents Okpebholo’s supporters in court as it directly contradicted earlier claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the election in the area was free and fair.
Following the damaging testimony, the Governor’s legal team were visibly rattled and subsequently refused to field the remaining witnesses on their list, bringing their defence to an abrupt end.
The 3rd respondent, the All Progressives Congress(APC) represented by their Counsel, Emanuel Ukala, SAN quickly moved for an adjournment, to be given more time to open their own defence and call witnesses in view of the sudden end and shocking closure of the Governor’s case
This development marks another dramatic turn of events as it will be recalled that the Electoral Umpire, INEC had penultimate week also closed its defence without calling a single witness despite having listed a number of witnesses to defend it’s declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the disputed September 21st Governorship Election in Edo State.
Tribunal adjourns to Wednesday February, 12th February 2025.
