The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has closed its case before the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal without presenting a single witness.
INEC’s legal counsel formally moved to close its case, a motion accepted by the Tribunal. The Commission will instead rely on cross-examinations and legal arguments from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo’s defense teams.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had challenged the election results, accusing INEC of widespread irregularities and vote manipulation. The party’s legal team built its case around documentary evidence, citing key provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act.
Sections 137 and 73(2) of the Act, which emphasize documentary proof over oral testimony and require result nullification in polling units where ballot paper and BVAS serial numbers were not pre-recorded, form the core of the PDP’s petition.
The Tribunal has already admitted key BVAS machines into evidence. Witness testimonies from PDP agents and an expert witness (PW12) detailed alleged manipulation during result collation.
Earlier, the Tribunal adjourned proceedings after INEC failed to produce its five scheduled witnesses, who were reportedly delayed while traveling from Benin City. In response, INEC’s legal team, led by Abdullahi Aliyu, opted to submit three documents as evidence to maintain procedural progress.
The Tribunal is expected to continue hearings today, February 6, as the case progresses.
