The Cross River State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal has concluded its proceedings and reserved judgment in the lawsuit brought forward by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seeking the removal of Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu from office.
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The suit, numbered EPT/CR/GOV/02/2023, was jointly filed by the PDP’s governorship candidate, Prof. Sandy Onor, and the party itself. The lawsuit contests the election victory of Senator Bassey Otu and Deputy Governor Rt Hon. Peter Odey.
During the proceedings, Counsels to Prof. Sandy Onor and Governor Bassey Otu, .J. Y. Musa, SAN, and Prof. Mike Ozekhone, SAN, respectively, presented their written arguments, which were subsequently adopted by the three-member tribunal.
In their final written address before the court, Dr. J. Y. Musa, SAN, representing the petitioners, asserted that the evidence extracted under the cross-examination of the respondents strengthens the case put forth in their petition. Musa also contended that the second and third respondents (Governor Otu and Peter Odey) falsely presented evidence, which was contradicted by the evidence presented during the proceedings.
Musa emphasized that the petitioners’ case does not involve allegations of forgery against any of the respondents. He urged the tribunal to consider the discrepancies revealed during the proceedings and declare the votes of the second and third respondents as wasted, thereby declaring the petitioners as winners of the elections.
On the opposing side, lead counsel to the second and third respondents, Prof. Mike Ozekhone, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the petition, describing it as frivolous, unmeritorious, and an abuse of the court process. He noted that the withdrawal of specific grounds by the petitioners weakened their case.
Counsel to the first respondent (INEC), K. O. Balogun, also advocated for the dismissal of the petition and concurred with Professor Ozekhome’s stance on the qualification of the second and third respondents.
Justice Okenn Ineh, after hearing the final arguments from all parties, expressed appreciation for their efforts and contributions to the case. The date of judgment will be communicated to all parties in due course.
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