The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned till March 3 for parties to adopt their final written addresses in the dispute over the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.

The tribunal?s chairman, Justice Wilfred Kpochi announced the date on Thursday after lawyer to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) announced the closure of his client?s case.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Asue Ighodalo are, by their petition, challenging the declaration of APC?s Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election, arguing among others, that the electoral process was flawed.

At the resumption of proceedings on Thursday, Orbih initially told the tribunal that he would not be able to proceed with the case because the documents his team sought to tender were yet to be brought from Benin.

Orbih subsequently changed his mind and said having reviewed the conduct of the case and evidence led so far, his team found no need to lead further evidence.

The APC, whichh is the third respondent in the case had promised to call 28 witnesses. It called four on Wednesday when it opened its case.

Orbih said: ?We have carefully done a further comprehensive review of the evidence led by the petitioners, evidence elicited from their witnesses under cross-examination, the evidence led so far by the respondents in this petition, and the documentary evidence presented before the tribunal.

?We have also considered the fact that time is of the essence and there is no need to embark on an exercise that will not take into account that the time of the tribunal is precious.

?Taking all these factors into consideration, we are happy to close the third respondent?s case, with the leave of the tribunal,? Orbih said.

Lawyer to the petitioners, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN); Kanu Agabi (SAN) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for Okpebholo, did not object to Orbih?s application to close the case of the APC.

The tribunal however rejected Orbih?s request that the seven days earlier allocated to the respondents to file their final written addresses should be extended by three days.

Ruling, Justice Kpochi held that the days earlier allocated to parties could not be extended because the tribunal also requires adequate time to consider all evidence led, including documents tendered.

He ordered the respondents to file their addresses within seven days, beginning from February 14; the petitioners to file within five days from the date of service, while the respondents shall file their replies, if any, within three days. (The Nation)

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