The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began its defence of the February 25 presidential election in Abuja on Monday, but encountered a shaky start as none of its three witnesses were present at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPEC).
INEC, which conducted the disputed election and was expected to open its defence, arrived at the court without any witnesses.
Abubakar Balarabe Mahmood SAN, the lead counsel for INEC and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), informed the court that he intended to call three witnesses to counter the allegations made by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi.
However, Mahmood expressed his regret that none of the witnesses were present in court due to personal reasons, thereby hindering him from opening the defence.
The senior lawyer pleaded with the court for understanding and requested an adjournment of the defence proceedings.
Dr Livy Uzuoku SAN, the lead counsel for Peter Obi, expressed shock and surprise at the conduct of the electoral body, stating that the INEC lawyer should have informed him before the proceedings began.
Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN, who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not object to INEC’s plea for an adjournment. Consequently, Presiding Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani scheduled a new date of July 4 for INEC to present its defence.