Kehinde Fajobi
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday postponed proceedings in the petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, challenging the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
The adjournment was due to delays in serving the respondents with the petitioners’ witness schedule.
When the matter was called, counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Monday Okpebholo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC)—represented by Kanu Agabi, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, and Emmanuel Ukala—objected to the petitioners’ attempt to present witnesses.
They argued that the witness schedule was served just minutes before the hearing, leaving them unprepared for cross-examinations.
Ukala stated, “In view of the Tribunal’s directives on Saturday and the agreement reached by all parties that the witness schedule list should be exchanged at least a day before witnesses are called, we expected the schedule to be served on Sunday. However, this was not done.
“We did not receive the list until about 9:50 a.m., just before the hearing resumed this morning. This purpose is clearly defeated when the witness list is served mere minutes before proceedings begin.
“In these circumstances, the petitioners, by their own actions, have made today’s proceedings impossible. We are ready to continue tomorrow.”
Agabi added, “We are in the same predicament, my Lord. Our duty is to assist Your Lordship in reaching a fair decision, but we cannot do so under these circumstances.” Ikpeazu echoed similar concerns.
Responding, the petitioners’ counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo, attributed the delay to alleged threats against their witnesses.
“My Lord, we did not deliberately delay the circulation of the witness list. The situation we found ourselves in up to Sunday evening necessitated the delay.
“The state APC Chairman made a broadcast on television, which we have on tape, threatening to apprehend our witnesses and PDP supporters within the court premises. He specifically said they would be arrested if they showed up today.
“We sent this video to counsel for the 3rd respondent but received no assurance of safety or security for our witnesses.
“We urge the Tribunal to reject their application for adjournment and allow us to proceed with our witnesses. After all, they are only eight in number,” Oyeyipo argued.
In his ruling, Tribunal Chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi upheld the respondents’ objections, citing the need for adequate preparation time for cross-examination. The hearing was adjourned to Tuesday.