Edo Election Tribunal Adjourns as INEC Witnesses Fail to Appear

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja has adjourned proceedings to February 6 following the absence of five witnesses scheduled to testify on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC, which was set to begin its defense on February 5, informed the tribunal that its witnesses were delayed while traveling from Benin City. In response, INEC’s counsel, Abdullahi Aliyu, opted to tender three documents to make partial progress in the hearing. The documents submitted included: Certified True Copies of State-level collation results (Form EC8D) Declaration of results 2022 election regulations and guidelines INEC assured the tribunal that it required just one more day to conclude its defense and requested a short adjournment. However, Tribunal Chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, criticized the electoral body for wasting an entire day due to its unpreparedness. Adetunji Oyeyipo, counsel for PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo, did not object to the documents, stating they were already submitted as evidence to challenge the election outcome. Further proceedings are now scheduled for February 6.