INEC fails to call witnesses to defend Edo election results

In a dramatic turn of events at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has failed to present any witnesses to defend its declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 21 September 2024 election.

Despite having requested an adjournment on 5 February to allow time for its witnesses to appear, INEC’s legal team, led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the tribunal on Thursday that it would not be calling any witnesses and moved to close its case abruptly. The announcement stunned those present in the courtroom, particularly APC supporters who had anticipated witness testimonies in defence of Okpebholo’s victory, which is being challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo.

Prior to this, INEC had submitted 152 BVAS machines as evidence, responding to a subpoena from the PDP, which alleges widespread over-voting in the election. The tribunal had also admitted three documents tendered by INEC, but no oral testimony was provided to reinforce its defence.

With INEC opting out of presenting witnesses, Governor Okpebholo’s legal counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and APC’s lawyer, D. C. Dewigwe (SAN), pleaded for an adjournment to allow them time to prepare their own witnesses and open their cases. The tribunal subsequently adjourned proceedings to 10 February 2025.

The decision by INEC to remain silent has raised fresh concerns about the credibility of the election and could have significant implications for the outcome of the tribunal’s verdict.