The respondents’ counsels stated that their reasons for objecting to the admissibility of the exhibits would be elaborated in their respective final written addresses.
By Akpele Samuel:
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has expressed his disagreement with the acceptance of submitted documents used during the governorship election held on March 18, 2023, at the election petition tribunal in Asaba.
The documents were presented by Ovie Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), who is contesting the victory of Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election.
The APC candidate’s petition includes the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first respondent, with Oborevwori and the PDP as the second and third respondents, respectively.
During the tribunal session on Friday, Kenneth Omoruan, representing the petitioners and standing in for A.K. Osawota, submitted the EC8 series forms used in the election.
However, Prof. G.E.O. Abugu, the counsel for the first respondent, objected to the admissibility of all the submitted documents except for form EC8E, which is the declaration by the electoral body.
Likewise, the counsel for the second and third respondents, Samson Egege and Ekeme Ohwovoriole, respectively, opposed the admission of all the documents except form EC8E.
The respondents’ counsels stated that their reasons for objecting to the admissibility of the exhibits would be elaborated in their respective final written addresses.
Despite the oral objections raised, the tribunal accepted the documents and marked them as exhibits in the ongoing trial.
Subsequently, the tribunal, led by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu, adjourned the hearing of the petition to July 6 and 10 for further continuation of the trial.
