The governorship election petition tribunal in Edo State is set to witness a significant legal confrontation as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission prepare to present a total of 290 witnesses.
The PDP candidate in the September 21 election, Asue Ighodalo, has filed a petition to contest the outcome, seeking to overturn the declaration of Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate, as the winner of the election.
During a session on Saturday, tribunal chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi announced that the parties involved have agreed on the number of witnesses to be called. The tribunal is scheduled to resume hearings on January 13, 2025. Justice Kpochi emphasized that petitioners must present their witnesses within 21 days, while respondents will have 10 days each to do so.
Hearings will occur daily at 10 AM, excluding Sundays and designated public holidays. The tribunal has formulated a comprehensive schedule for the examination and cross-examination of witnesses, ensuring a streamlined process.
In detailing the pre-hearing report, Justice Kpochi confirmed the allocation of specific time frames for witness examinations: 40 minutes for examination-in-chief for each key witness, 30 minutes for petitioners’ cross-examination, and 20 minutes for respondents’ cross-examination. Additionally, 10 minutes will be allotted for the re-examination of key witnesses, with 25 minutes for ordinary witnesses.
Justice Kpochi also clarified that there would be no consolidation of the petition with any others, and parties may only present witnesses whose statements had been previously submitted. An interpreter will be available for witnesses needing assistance in native languages such as Benin, Esan, and Auchi.
