Edo Election Tribunal: PDP, Ighodalo conclude case as proceedings advance

PEOPLES GAZETTE

The Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate in Edo, Asue Ighodalo, on Monday, closed their case at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja.

The PDP and Ighodalo sued INEC, APC and Governor Monday Okpebholo, challenging the outcome of the governorship election.

When the matter was called, the petitioners’ lead counsel, Robert Emukpoeruo, told the tribunal that his clients had concluded their case having called 19 witnesses.

For its part, INEC tendered five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines used during the election. Anthony Itodo, a senior technical officer in INEC’s ICT Department, tendered the electronic devices.

They were admitted in evidence even though all the respondents objected, saying they would give their reasons in their final written addresses.

The tribunal had earlier admitted in evidence that 148 BVAS were used in 133 polling units where the petitioners were disputing the election results.

Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led’s three-member tribunal adjourned the matter until Feb. 5 for INEC to open its defence.