Inside the 2023 Presidential Election Petition Hearing: Day 5
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the court proceedings of the 2023 Presidential Election held on the 5th of June. The case revolved around the petition of Peter Obi and the Labor Party, identified as CA/PEPC/03/2023. Let’s delve into the key events and arguments presented during the hearing.
The Court Session
On the fifth day of the court hearing, which commenced at approximately 2:05 PM, Justice Bello Muhammad presided over the proceedings. He encouraged everyone present to adhere to the court’s rules to ensure a smooth and efficient process.
The Petitioners and Respondents
Peter Obi, representing himself, and LP Saturday Monsignia, representing the fourth respondent, Patrick Ecoito’s son, were the faces of the petitioners.
The first respondent, INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission), was represented by Abubakama Mood’s son, while Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s legal team represented the second and third respondents, respectively.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) was the fourth respondent, with Chief Oukalusan and Dr. Valerie Azingisan representing them.
The Interlocutory Motion and Objections
The petitioners brought an application for an interlocutory motion, consisting of interrogatories (written questions) directed at the opposing parties. Surprisingly, all respondents opposed this motion, despite having no reply from their end. Nevertheless, the court decided to hear the motion.
Presentation of Evidence
The petitioners submitted certified copies of Forms EC8A as evidence. These forms were from various states and local governments, totaling 157 local government areas across eight states of the Federation. The evidence aimed to support the petitioners’ claims.
Objections to the Evidence
Although the evidence was presented, the respondents, including INEC, Bola Tinubu, Kashim Shettima, and APC, objected to the admission of these documents. They reserved their reasons for objecting until their final addresses, which would occur later in the proceedings.
The Court’s Decision
Despite the objections, the court admitted all INEC Forms EC8A for the 157 local government areas and eight states of the Federation as exhibits. This was a significant development for the petitioners.
Adjournment and Future Hearing
The petitioners requested an adjournment, which received no objections from any respondents. Consequently, the court adjourned the hearing until the 6th of June 2023 at 2 PM, when the proceedings would resume.
Conclusion
The 2023 Presidential Election court proceedings on June 5th offered a glimpse into the legal challenges and arguments surrounding the contested election. With the petitioners and respondents presenting their cases, and evidence, the court sought to uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
As the hearing adjourned, anticipation mounted for the case continuation the following day. The outcome of this historic court case would undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the nation.