The governorship election petition tribunal in Edo State took an unexpected turn on Monday when Governor Monday Okpebholo’s legal team abruptly closed their case after their first witness admitted to over-voting in Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
Usman Majek, 31, from Usen in Ovia South-West LGA, was called by Okpebholo’s lawyers to defend the election results.
However, during cross-examination, Majek acknowledged that over-voting had occurred in his polling unit.
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When shown the polling unit results and Exhibit PBA40, the official result sheet, the following exchange took place:
Counsel: “That’s your PU result? You signed it?” Majek: “Yes.” Counsel: “Was there over-voting?” Majek: “Yes, there was over-voting.”
Majek’s sworn admission led to an uproar in the courtroom. Ovia South-West is the home local government area of Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa.
Over-voting, where the number of votes exceeds the number of accredited voters, is a breach of the Electoral Act 2022.
After this testimony, Okpebholo’s legal team unexpectedly chose not to call further witnesses, despite previous plans to do so, and closed their case.
The APC’s counsel requested an adjournment, stating they needed time to reassess their strategy for presenting witnesses.
The tribunal then adjourned the proceedings until Wednesday to give the respondents time to reconsider their case.
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