Tobias Sylvester
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has announced his intention to summon 100 witnesses to provide testimony in the presidential election petition court case.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its intention to summon 100 witnesses to provide testimony in the presidential election petition court case.
Atiku, who is challending the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, requested a three-week period to summon 100 witnesses in order to substantiate his case against the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.
During a court session on Saturday, Chris Uche, the legal representative for Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, informed the court that all parties had reached an agreement regarding the number of witnesses to be presented and the allocated duration.
He said the PDP intends to call a maximum of 100 witnesses within three weeks instead of the allotted seven weeks, as the issues under consideration are becoming more narrower.
In response, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stated that it has two witnesses prepared to testify, while the legal counsel for the president-elect declared that they have 39 witnesses ready.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by its lawyer Mr. Solomon Umoh, SAN, indicated that it would require two days to present 39 witnesses.
Tinubu’s principal counsel, Mr. Roland Otaro, SAN, further revealed that his client plans to call upon 39 witnesses to testify in court, without disregarding the possibility of applying for additional individuals to be subpoenaed.
All parties involved have agreed to streamline the number of witnesses and the duration required for each party to present their testimonies.
The lead witness, who will present the primary evidence and identify relevant documents, will be allocated 30 minutes. Each respondent will have 15 minutes for cross-examination, followed by 5 minutes for re-examination.
Furthermore, it was proposed that 10 minutes be allocated for other witnesses of the petitioner, with an additional 10 minutes for cross-examination by the respondents.
Additionally, 30 minutes will be allotted for the star witnesses from INEC, Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KanyiDaily recalls that Atiku Abubakar prayed the court to declare him the winner of the presidential election, having secured the second-highest number of lawful votes cast at the poll.
