Tribunal Puts Decision On Hold As PDP Seeks To Present Video Evidence

The hearing of People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) petition and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar has been put on hold as video evidence and relevant documents have been brought forward by one of PDP’s witness, Segun Sowunmi.

Sowunmi is the media adviser to the petitioner, Atiku Abubakar and he is the petitioners’ 40th witness.

Counsel to the first defendant, Yunus Usman during the hearing argued that the documents tendered by the witness is not part of the documents which were agreed, that reasons would be adduced at the close of evidence.

Counsel to the second defendant Alex Izinyon adds that this is an ambushment by the petitioner. He quoted paragraph 41(2) and (8) of the first schedule to the Electoral Act.

Counsel to the third defendant, Adeniyi Akintola adopts the objection of the first and second defendant and accuses the petitioner of trying to amend the petition through the back door.

The petitioner lawyer, Chris Uche says they have a statutory liberty to either list or frontload. He challenges the respondents by saying it is their duty to frontload and they failed to do so. He quoted section 58(1) of the evidence Act 2011, adding that documents included video recording.

The PDP and his presidential candidate at the election, Atiku, are by their petition, challenging the victory of Buhari and the APC at the 2019 presidential election.

The five-man tribunal panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba has therefore gone on its routine one-hour break after entertaining arguments from the lawyers and will return to deliver its ruling after the break.

The decision of the panel will be to determine whether the video evidence will play in court.