The ongoing Kogi State governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja resumed hearing this morning, April 16, 2024, and made significant progress.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had earlier promised the tribunal to call witnesses at the resumed hearing yesterday. However, in a dramatic turn of events during today’s sitting, the electoral body declined to call any witnesses as promised.
The counsel to the first respondent, Barrister Uchena, informed the court that he was only ready to present the BVAS identification list of Okehi, Ajaokuta, Bassa, Ogorimango, Adavi, Okene, and Lokoja LGAs, respectively.
The counsel to the petitioner, PA Akubo SAN, objected to some LGAs not covered by their petition but promised to address the court on it. The tribunal admitted the BVAS identification list as evidence and marked it as an exhibit from the above-listed LGAs.
The case has been adjourned to April 17, 2024, for the second respondent, Alhaji Usman Ododo, to explain to the court how he won the election. This marks the end of the INEC defense.