- Governor Monday Okpebholo has opened and closed his case before the Edo state election tribunal sitting in FCT, Abuja
- Okpebholo closed his case after a witness admitted to overvoting in the September governorship election in the state
- Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led's three-member tribunal adjourned the hearing to February 12, for APC to open its case
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events
FCT, Abuja - Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has opened and closed his case at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
Governor Okpebholo closed the case after calling one witness to testify about overvoting in the governorship election in Edo state on September 21, 2024.
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A witness, Usman Majek, was called upon by Okpebholo’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), at the resumed hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025.
Majek, from Usen in the Ovia South-West local government area, told the tribunal that he was an All Progressives Congress polling unit agent in the election.
The witness admitted that there was over-voting in his polling unit during cross-examination of the petitioners’ lead counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN).
The APC member and agent also claimed that accreditation and voting took place simultaneously in his unit.
He also stated that he complained to the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) about the result he entered on the result sheet after he signed it.
After Majek’s testimony, Ikpeazu applied to close the defence of his client.
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The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal granted Ikpeazu’s request as there was no objection from the petitioners (Peoples Democratic Party and Asuerime Ighodalo), the first respondent (INEC) and the third respondent's (APC) counsel.
The Kpochi-led panel adjourned the hearing until Wednesday, February 12, for APC to open its case.
Legit.ng earlier reported that the governorship election petition tribunal in Edo State witnessed a dramatic turn as Governor Okpebholo’s legal team abruptly closed their case.
PDP confident in overturning Edo governorship at tribunal
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the PDP in Edo state expressed hope in the Nigerian judiciary regarding its governorship candidate's case against the APC.
The PDP predicted that its candidate for the 2024 Edo governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, would emerge victorious against Okpebholo of the APC at the tribunal.
The party expressing its hope came as Ighodalo and the PDP closed their case before the state governorship election petition tribunal in Abuja on Monday, February 3.
