The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital adjourned her proceedings today, August 27, 2019 to September 10, 2019, which date is set aside for adoption of final written addresses of parties in the case.
This came after the Peoples Democratic Party (2nd Respondent) closed their case today at the Tribunal. Recall that the Court on Monday, August 26, 2019 had adjourned to today, Tuesday, August 27, 2019 for the 2nd Respondent to close its case and for the 3rd Respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to open their case.
On the close of the 2nd Respondents case, the 3rd Respondent, through their lead counsel, Sylva Ogwemoh, SAN, notified the court that they will not be calling any witness on the case explaining that the double edged defence of the 1st and 2nd Respondents were strong enough to establish that they, the INEC, held a free and credible elections in Akwa Ibom State.
In the consequential ruling of the court, the Respondents were given 5 days to file the Respondents Written addresses, the Petitioner was also given 5 days to file their response while the Respondents would exercise their right to reply on point of law within three days from the date of the service of the Petitioner’s address on them.
Chris Uche, SAN who represented the 1st Respondent today, who spoke on behalf of all the lawyers in the case thanked the Tribunal for the perfect ambience which they provided throughout the trial and expressed the confidence of the bar in the bench.
