Our reporter
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned proceedings until March 3, 2025, after the All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its defence in the ongoing case challenging the re-election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The APC, which has been defending the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election, closed its case on Thursday without calling any additional witnesses, following a brief hearing. The decision came after the party had initially planned to present 28 witnesses, but ultimately only four were called to testify.
Three of the witnesses spoke about alleged incidents of over-voting in several polling units, though they conceded that the results from these areas had been annulled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), the lead counsel for the APC, informed the tribunal that the party would not be proceeding with any further witness testimonies. He explained that key documents crucial to their defence were still in Benin, rendering it impossible to call the remaining witnesses. Orbih emphasised the importance of not wasting the tribunal’s time and confirmed that the APC was content to close its case.
“The documents we require are not available, and in the interest of time, we have decided to close our case,” Orbih told the panel, which is led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi.
Neither the petitioners, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), nor the respondents objected to the APC’s decision.
The tribunal adjourned the case and directed all parties to file and exchange their final written addresses before the scheduled adoption of these addresses on March 3. This marks the next major milestone in the ongoing legal battle over the outcome of the Edo State governorship election.
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