The Senatorial Candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for Kogi Central, Barr. Natasha Akpoti on Wednesday presented her witnesses for the commencement of hearing of Kogi State Election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja.
While presenting his case, the lead Counsel to Natasha Akpoti of SDP, Ola Olanipeku (SAN) with petition No. EPT/KG/SEN/02/2019, said his petition is ready for hearing and presented 11 witnesses to testify before the Honourable Tribunal.
After adopting the oath earlier signed by the witnesses on March 14, 2019, the witnesses marked as PW one and eleven testified before the Honourable Tribunal that the 2019 Kogi Central Senatorial Election was marred by irregularities, intimidation and violence in their various wards and local government.
The Petitioners’ witnesses were crossed examined by the Counsels to the first, second and third Respondents.
Earlier, the chairman of the three man panel, Hon. Justice O. A. Chijioke struck out the application of Counsel to Ahmed Ogembe of PDP, Olumide Olaiya Seeking the relief of the Honourable Tribunal to amend his petition.
In the application, Olaiya sought the relief of the Honourable Tribunal to amend the numbering of paragraphs in his petition, explaining that it is necessary to amend the numbering of his petition as a result of the two parties that were earlier struck out by the tribunal.
After the application was opposed by the Counsels to APC and Yakubu Oseni, Justice Chijioke held that Paragraph 47 sub 1 of the first schedule of the electoral law as amended provides that all motion shall come at the pre-hearing section except in extreme circumstances which “Tribunal supports”, adding that the Petitioner did not provide any exception and the reason for the amendment of the Petitioner’s petition when they have opportunity to do it at prehearing section.
Justice Chijioke adjourned the case to July, 05 and 06 for the continuation of hearing.
