Edo Polls: Obaseki Calls 65 Witnesses, Closes Defence Monday

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will on Monday closed his defence at the ongoing hearing of the petition filed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Peoples Democratic Party at the Election Petition Tribunal.

Governor Obaseki who is the second respondent in the suit has so far called 65 witnesses to testify and make counter claims of non-accreditation and over voting as postulated by the petitioners.

Obaseki has three days left to call witnesses.

The first respondent, INEC, did not call any witnesses. It only tendered documents claiming that its witnesses may help the petitioners proved its case.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the PDP called 92 witnesses and tendered several documents to back claims of  alleged non-accreditation and over voting. 

At the resumed sitting on Thursday, lawyers to Obaseki informed the tribunal that they want an adjournment to enable them re-strategise their defence.

Lead counsel to Obaseki, Mr Adetunji Oyiyepo, said the adjournment was to enable the defence team re-appraise their case before proceeding to calling any more witness.

“My Lords, we are asking for an adjournment for this petition. We have so far called 65 witnesses across the wards from the 18 local government areas of the state.

“We need Friday and Saturday to reappraise our defence strategy. We need more time to re-appraise our case.

“We need to re-strategise to make maximum use of the available time on Monday. We don’t want to dump all manner of witnesses at the tribunal,’’ he said.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ahmed Badamasi granted the order and told Counsel to the third respondent, Mr Rotimi Ogunesho, to be ready to open his defence on Tuesday.