The All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, closed its defence in the petition challenging its victory at the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
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The closure which came as a surprise, came a day after the APC which is the 3rd respondent in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr Asue Ighodalo, had called in four witnesses, who gave evidence in respect of the governorship polls.
The three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi had on Wednesday adjourned trial to yesterday to enable the APC, tender some documents which it claimed the remaining of its witnesses would rely on in giving their evidence.
Also, recall that the APC had told the court that it would be calling 28 witnesses in defending its victory at the September 21, governorship election in Edo, but after calling four witnesses on Wednesday, it asked for an adjournment to yesterday, to enable it call its remaining witnesses, who would be relying on documents yet to be tendered before the tribunal.
When the matter came up yesterday, Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, who argued the case of the 3rd respondent, informed the court that the 3rd respondent was still awaiting documents from Benin City, which its witnesses would use in their evidence.
He, however, announced that the 3rd respondent would be closing its case because, the plethora of documents tendered, the evidence of the petitioners during cross-examination by the respondents as well as the evidence of the 3rd respondent had done justice to their and as such makes it unnecessary to call further witnesses.
“Taking all the enumerated factors into consideration, we are happy at this stage to close the 3rd respondent’s case, with the leave of my Lordships,” Orbih submitted.
Since the petitioners did not object, Justice Kpochi in a short ruling granted the request and fixed March 3, for parties to adopt their final written addresses in the matter.
While the panel gave the respondents seven days to file and serve their defense, it ordered the petitioners to reply within five days of reception of the processes, adding that the respondents could reply to a point of law, within three days.
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