Ben Ezechime, Enugu
It was yet another dramatic session on Tuesday at the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), failed to present any witness before the court.
Immediately the matter was called up about 9:25am, representations and appearances were made as usual.
At this point, the Court called on INEC lawyer H.I. Okoli Esq., to start up their defense by presenting their witnesses.
But Mr. Okoli stood up and apologised to the honorable Tribunal for their inability to open their defense today, telling the Court that their witness who was coming from Abuja missed his flight.
He went further to pray that the Court should grant the Commission the grace of closing their case tomorrow Wednesday more so when they were giving two days to close their case.
The Court asked all the parties present if there was any objection and none was raised from the parties.
The Court then adjoined to tomorrow Wednesday 19th July 2023 for INEC to open and close their case.
The Court also appealed to the lawyers of the second Respondent (Mr. Peter Mbah) to get ready to open their defense same tomorrow without excuses.
The Chairman of the panel warned that the Court will not entertain any excuses from the second Respondent as soon as the first Respondent closes their case tomorrow.
Ikengaonline recalled that after Hon. Chijioke Edeoga and Labour Party closed their case last Sunday, it was the turn of INEC to takeover by presenting their evidences and witnesses in defense of the petition brought against them by Labour Party and its candidate Edeoga.
