The Tribunal rejects the testimony of ten out of thirteen witnesses for LP, Obi.
The court held that the testimony of the ten rejected witnesses was submitted after the hearing had begun.
Obi and the LP had summoned the witnesses to bolster their petition against President Bola Tinubu's election.
Only three of the thirteen witnesses whose statements are under oath were included with the petition, it was held in the main opinion read by Justice Haruna Tsammani.
The court held that the ten rejected witnesses' statements were submitted after the hearing had begun.
The court also rejected the petitioners' documents, including the report of analysis, which were submitted through 10 affected witnesses.
In accordance with Section 285 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 137(7) of the Electoral Act 2022, and other provisions, the judge explained that a sworn witness statement must be submitted alongside the petition.
Tsammani added that once the 21-day window for filing an election petition has passed, the petition's content cannot be altered.
ThePunch reports that he argued that the petitioners were aware of the legal provision requiring the submission of sworn witness statements, yet went ahead and presented 10 witnesses without their sworn witness statements having been filed with the petition.
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AnonymousElection petitions are complex and must adhere to stringent deadlines, as seen in this instance. Petitioners are reminded that it is their responsibility to check that their petitions are filed in accordance with all regulations and deadlines. While we wait for more information on this case, it is essential that everyone involved uphold the sanctity of the court system and obey its rulings.
