Lead counsel to the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election in Plateau State, Mr. Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has revealed that the witnesses they sought to call were being threatened with instant death if they should testify in the election matter.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SADR.jpeg")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
The party’s candidate, Senator Jeremiah Useni, had gone to the election petition tribunal to challenge the electoral victory of Governor Simon Lalong who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ozekhome urged the tribunal to take the death threat seriously as the witnesses confided in him and the petitioners that they would meet their death summarily should they come to testify against the governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The counsel cited the case of one man from Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) who testified in the election matter of 2015.
He recalled that the person’s house was burnt and he relocated with his family to a hotel in Jos.
“I want to draw the attention of the honourable tribunal to the sad and deadly incident of what happened to the witness after his testimony which did not go down well with some people,” Ozekhome said.
It was at this juncture that counsel to Lalong, Mr. Pius Akubo (SAN) raised an objection, describing the alleged threat to life as frivolous and preposterous, adding that nobody was threatening any person’s life and that the matter should go on if they were ready to produce further witnesses.
At the end of arguments and counter-arguments, the tribunal chairman, Justice Haleemat Salman, allowed Ozekhome to speak.
Ozekhome said that he was above 60years of age and 38 years in the bar, adding that as the leader of his team, the case is theirs and they would not want to waste the tribunal’s precious time. “If we waste time within our time we will regret it. I don’t know why somebody should cry more than the bereaved,” he added.
Thereafter, he continued calling the witnesses as he had 15 more to call, having called 66 witnesses earlier.
The promotion, which commenced on January 8 and runs until February 8, 2026, offers five core maritime law books authored by Dr. Emeka Akabogu, SAN, ordinarily valued at N405,000, for just N150,000 — a 63% discount.
Interested buyers can place their orders through the following channels:
Phone: 0704 329 3271
Online Store: https://paystack.shop/aa-bookstore
Website: www.akabogulaw.com
_______________________________________________________________________
The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
