Okpebholo closes case after witness admits overvoting in Edo election

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, opened and closed his case on Monday after calling one witness to testify before the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

It will be recalled that at the close of last Thursday’s proceedings after the Independent National Electoral Commission closed its case without calling any witness to justify the September 21, 2024, election it conducted in the state.

The tribunal adjourned till Monday for Okpebholo to open his case.

Upon the resumed hearing on Monday, Okpebholo’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), called one witness, Usman Majek, from Usen in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area in Edo State.

The witness informed the tribunal that he was an All Progressives Congress polling unit agent in the election.

Under cross-examination of the petitioners’ lead counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), the witness agreed that there was over-voting in his polling unit.

He also said accreditation and voting took place simultaneously in his unit.

The witness also informed the tribunal that he complained to the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission about the result he entered on the result sheet after he signed it.

Oyeyipo had asked, “You agree that there was over-voting in your unit”?

PW1 responded with a “YES.”

After Majek’s testimony, Ikpeazu applied to close the defence of his client.

The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal accordingly granted Ikpeazu’s request as there was no objection from the petitioners (Peoples Democratic Party and Asuerime Ighodalo), first respondent (INEC) and third  respondent (APC) counsel.

The panel adjourned till Wednesday, February 12, for APC to open its case.

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