Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has faulted the action of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in opposing documents emanating from its office and deposed by litigants at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
He argued that if the electoral umpire had been credible in the conduct of the polls, it would not have been opposing its own documents.
The lawyer who took to his Twitter handle wrote: “If INEC conducted credible elections, we shouldn’t be seeing the same institution objecting to documents it used during the elections.
“These documents are supposed to vindicate INEC’s claim of credible elections. Objection implies they don’t want the tribunal to rely on them.”
A member of Obi’s legal team, had on Thursday, faulted INEC for objecting to its own certified documents tendered by Obi’s team.
He expressed disappointment that the electoral umpire which should maintain neutrality had decided to frustrate litigants.
The lawyer, Dr Livy Uzoukwu SAN, who was fielding questions from newsmen said: “It’s shocking to us too that INEC will be attacking their own documents; processes that emanate from them.”
Continuing, he said: “Not only that those documents came from them, they certified them. And when you certify a document, you are saying you have the original copy.
“Having done all these, INEC still says it’s objecting!
“Well, that’s what you see in Nigeria but in advanced clime. I doubt if after a document had emanated from you, you certified it, and the document is tendered, and you challenge it.”
Adding his voice, another member of Obi’s legal team called for proper investigation of INEC over its acclaimed neutrality in the conduct of the polls.
“INEC should be interrogated on why it is doubting the integrity of the election it conducted. By challenging a document it certified and issued to us is so shameful,” he fumed.
In a tweet, a social crusader and rights activist, Charles Oputa popularly known as Charley Boy, expressed disappointment over the action of INEC, and urged the judiciary to save the Nigeria democracy from conspirators.
“What is INEC afraid of? Why are they challenging their own documents?
Nigerian judiciary pls do the needful, because criminals have taken over our land and our politics.
“Tufiakwa, this is not the Nigeria I knew before … Heads or Tail, we must get justice,” Oputa tweeted.
