On Thursday, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is scheduled to appear before the Presidential Election Petition Court.
This information was disclosed by Chris Uche, SAN, the lead counsel representing Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in their ongoing petition.
The petition, registered as CA/PEPC/05/2023, challenges the outcome of the presidential election held on February 25, which declared President Bola Tinubu as the winner. The respondents in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), President Bola Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the hearing, Uche informed the court that the INEC chairman would testify about the conduct of the disputed presidential election. Uche also expressed his desire for the respondents, particularly Tinubu and the APC, to be prepared and not caught off guard.
Before Prof. Yakubu’s appearance, the petitioners presented their 19th witness, Alex Ter, who is a lawyer, politician, and the National Coordinator of the PDP’s National Situation Room.
However, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, representing INEC, objected when the witness was about to adopt multiple statements. Mahmoud argued that the petitioners’ reply on the additional statements was not pleaded in accordance with the provisions of the law. He requested the court to dismiss it and uphold the objection. Mahmoud also stated that their detailed reasons for the objections would be communicated during the final addresses.
In response, Uche, representing the petitioners, informed the court that the objections raised by INEC had been argued, and the ruling on them was reserved by the court.
“Whatever objection that INEC has should be kept aside, “ Uche said.
He therefore, urged the court to overrule the objection and allow the process go on.
He told the court that they are tendering Manual for the conduct of the 2023 election.
He said he will be tendering video clips of broadcast, by the chairman of INEC on the preparation for the election and that of Festus Okoye National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC on the election.
The also said that he will be tendering European Union (EU) election observers mission broadcast alongside the transcripts and the certificates of authenticity of the three videos.
He said this was pursuant to Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
He also tendered INEC I-reV screen shots of the portal as of March 18 and March 19.
Also tendered was I-reV results portal at the pulling units of March 1 and the transcripts and certificates of authenticity.
INEC did not object but Tinubu and APC objected, but all the respondents reserved their responses until their final written addresses.
Under cross examination by INEC’s lawyer, Mahmoud, the witness admitted that he was not at the National Collation Center but was at the PDP situation room in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also admitted not being an ICT experts but that he based his report from information obtained from agents of the PDP at the collation centers.
The witness faulted INEC for not transmitting presidential election results electronically, adding that calculation errors led the electoral body into grave errors .
Also cross examined by Akin Olujimi SAN, counsel for Tinubu, the witness said that he came to the conclusion that the presidential election was invalid by reason of corrupt electoral practices as related to him by PDP agents.
Testifying as the petitioners ‘ 20th witness (PW20) was Olutunji Shelle.
He alleged during cross examination by INEC counsel that there were some secret pulling units set up by APC in Lagos.
He however said he did not visit any.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the petitioners have called 20 witnesses so far out of 100 the told the court their would call.
Meanwhile, the five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until tomorrow for further hearing of the petition.