Victor EzejaPresident Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have closed defence in the petition filed by the Labour Party presidential candidate, and its Mr Peter Obi challenging the outcome of the February 25 2023 election.
Obi and Labour Party had in the joint petition, listed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC, Tinubu and Vice President, Shettima as respondents.
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President Tinubu and Shettima, who were listed as second and third respondents, on Wednesday, opened defence by tendering 18 documents to defend their victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Some of the documents tendered by Tinubu’s lawyer include Certified True Copies of Peter Obi’s forwarding letter for the submission of membership registration dated 25 April 2022 and his Register of Membership for Anambra State. The documents were to prove their claim that Obi is not a registered member of the Labour Party and not qualified to contest in the election.
The respondents in their response to Obi’s petition, argued that Obi was not a member of the party as of the time of the 2023 presidential election, and therefore, was not qualified to contest in the election on the platform of the Labour Party.
Other documents tendered by Olanipekun include: Letter from Nigeria Police to the United States Embassy dated February 3, 2003, asking for some information about Tinubu’s criminal record; the reply from US Embassy to the Nigeria Police, same year; 12 documents relating to the educational record of Tinubu from Chicago State University duly certified by Jamaal Cor, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs, Chicago State University, data page of Tinubu’s Nigerian passport issued on February 2, 2011, and November 20, 2019, duly certified by Nigerian Immigration Service.
Also presented were: Tinubu’s visas to the United States issued between February 4, 2011, and November 18, 2021, duly certified by Nigerian Immigration Service; Copy of Reports of the Commission on the location of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, obtained from the FCT Archives and Historical Bureau, dated 1975, copy of Form EC8D(A) (The single sheet from which INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu declared winner of the presidential election) and Form EC8D for Kano State State in respect of the presidential election.
Also submitted to the court was an acknowledgement copy of Shettima’s notice of voluntary withdrawal of candidacy from Borno Central Senatorial District election, dated 6 July 2023, Judgment of the Supreme Court in SC/CV/501/2023 between Peoples Democratic party and Independent National Electoral Commission and 3 others delivered on 6 May 2023; and Copies of page 27, 28, of Nigerian Tribune Newspaper of 23 February 2023.
The five-man panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani admitted the documents and marked them as exhibits.
The panel admitted the documents as exhibits despite objections raised by Obi’s lead counsel, Livy Uzoukwu, SAN.
Tinubu and Shettima called one witness in the person of Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. Bamidele, who claimed to be a practicing Attorney in the United States of America, is currently the Majority Leader of the Nigeria Senate. He told the court that there is no record of criminal proceedings or conviction of Senator Bola Tinubu in the United States of America.
According to one of the members of the Labour Party Legal team and presidential campaign spokespersons, Kenneth Okonkwo said Tinubu and Shettima closed their defence in the petition after the conclusion of the cross-examination.
“On the conclusion of his cross-examination, the 2nd and 3rd Respondents closed their case. The Fourth Respondent (APC) opened and closed its case without calling any witness. It relied on all the evidence adduced by the other Respondents.
“The petition was adjourned to a date to be later determined, for the adoption of the written addresses of the parties,” Okonkwo added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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