Ogun tribunal: Adebutu ends case with over 200,000 exhibits and 94 witnesses

After presenting testimony from 94 witnesses, Ladi Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor of Ogun State, has concluded his case before the election petition tribunal.

As part of his challenge to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) purported refusal to comply with the Electoral Act, the petitioner has submitted over 200,000 papers to the tribunal in support of his claim.

Adebutu said in his appeal that thugs prevented over 40,000 eligible voters from casting ballots on March 18 because they interrupted elections in more than 99 polling units.

Over the past two weeks, the petitioner has presented testimony from voters and party agents in various local governments across the State, including Sagamu, Ikenne, Odogbolu, Remo North, Ogun Waterside, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ado-Odo/Ota, and others.

The petitioner also subpoenaed two temporary employees of INEC, a representative of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), a statistician, and a forensic expert to testify in the case.

Adebutu also submitted evidence in the form of certified true copies of INEC election materials such result sheets, voter registrations, printouts from Bimodal Voters Accreditation (BVAS) devices, incident forms, videos, forensic reports, etc.

He and the PDP have declared they’ve finished presenting their side of the argument and are now waiting for INEC, Abiodun, and the APC to do the same.

Chris Uche, petitioners’ counsel, spoke to reporters after the hearing and said, “We have called 94 witnesses on behalf of the petitioners and we have tendered over 200,000 INEC documents before the court as well as our own documents.”

Uche remarked that “we formerly ended the calling of witnesses on behalf of the petitioners” after all these actions were taken. The floor is now open for respondents to begin their answers. They have sought for, and been granted, a postponement until Wednesday.

On Wednesday, we will find out what they have to say in response to the numerous claims against them, for which we have presented the court with irrefutable proof. Moreover, if they decide to call witnesses, we will present them with all the evidence we have submitted.

Meanwhile, INEC, as the petition’s first respondent, will likely present its case on Wednesday.

During the preliminary hearing, INEC’s Counsel Abiodun Owonikoko informed the tribunal that the electoral umpire would be presenting a single witness.