The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi in Benin City, has submitted its pre-hearing reports and outlined the rules for the hearing, which have been agreed upon by all parties involved.
The tribunal has scheduled the hearing for January 13, 2025, to address the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as well as the Accord Party (AP) and its candidate, Bright Enabulele.
Both parties are challenging the results of the September 21, 2023, governorship election, in which the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, was declared the winner.
Read Also: The Disagreement That Broke Out When APC Called For Dismissal Of PDP’s Petition Challenging Okpebholo’s Victory At Tribunal
The respondents in the case are Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Kpochi clarified that hearings will be held daily, except for Sundays and any public holidays declared by the federal government.
The court also specified that up to ten witnesses may testify per day, depending on circumstances.
A total of 290 witnesses are expected to be presented in the case of Asue Ighodalo (PDP) vs. Monday Okpebholo (APC) and INEC, while four witnesses have been admitted in the case of Bright Enabulele (AP) vs. Monday Okpebholo (APC) and INEC.
Regarding adjournments and the expediting of proceedings, the tribunal announced that requests for frivolous adjournments will not be entertained.
However, the court may shorten the time for any act as prescribed by the Electoral Act of 2022 when necessary to ensure the timely completion of the proceedings, as election petitions are bound by strict timelines.
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