Abia Guber Tribunal Commences Hearing With Witnesses
Posted by admin | 9 years ago | 3,266 times
The governorship election tribunal sitting in Umuahia has commenced hearing into the petition brought before it by Alex Otti of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), challenging the victory of Victor Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the polls.
The session commenced with the announcement of time allocation for examination-in-chief and cross-examination by the tribunal chairman, Justice Usman Bwala.
After several suggestions on the time allocation, the court adopted 5 minutes for examination-in-chief, while 15 minutes was adopted for cross-examination.
For star witnesses however, 30 minutes each was allocated for both examination-in-chief and cross-examination; while the court applied its discretion in the case of interpreters.
The session later went into the appearance of witnesses who were consequently cross-examined by counsel to the respondents.
During the cross-examination, counsel to the first respondent, Emeka Etiaba SAN, pointed out that a protest letter tendered by one of the witnesses to the petitioner, alleging that election did not take place in his ward, Afaraukwu ward, was neither listed nor pleaded.
He therefore, raised objections that the court should reject it. The counsel to the second and third respondents also raised objections against the same documents. The tribunal ruled in favour of the respondents and rejected the document as an exhibit before it.
After the cross-examination of witnesses, counsel to the petitioner, Akin Olujimi SAN, raised a complaint informing the court that INEC was yet to comply with the order mandating it to make the election materials available for inspection. The tribunal therefore, mandated INEC to comply with the order and provide the materials for inspection.
With cross-examination of three witnesses, the tribunal adjourned sitting to Tuesday, 11th August when hearing will continue.
With the commencement of the main hearing, all fingers have remained crossed, watching the outcome of the heated debates.
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