Since Tribunal started, only two of your ‘50 witnesses’ have testified – INEC taunts Labour Party

crimechadmin June 14, 2023

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Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kemi Pinero, has accused the Labour Party of needlessly prolonging proceedings at the presidential election petition tribunal.

It will be recalled that since the electoral commission declared President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election, both the LP and the PDP have been at the presidential election petition tribunal to challenge the emergence of Tinubu as the country’s president.

But while speaking during proceedings on Wednesday, the lead counsel for the LP, Livy Uzoukwu, said the electoral commission has been stylishly frustrating the tribunal hearing by refusing to supply the party with documents requested for evidence.

“The office of the INEC chairman has consistently refused to comply with providing documents even with the subpoena issued, in spite of the efforts of the bailiff,” Uzoukwu said.

He noted that he had met with the INEC lead counsel, but did not have a copy of the subpoena to hand over at the time.

“I intend to send it to him once I’m done with this proceeding. I’m confident that he will do the needful for us to continue tomorrow,” Uzoukwu added.

But in his reaction, Pinero dismissed Uzoukwu’s comments, saying it was a tactic to adjourn the proceedings.

Pinero said there was no subpoena issued, adding that INEC had adequately responded to subpoenas issues by other parties and had no reason to neglect the LP.

“A subpoena was not refused. PDP served subpoenas and we have responded to that. It is clear that this is becoming a habit that they (LP) like to whip, it’s a pattern,” Pinero said.

“Don’t use INEC as a whipping board, if they (LP) have nothing else to do they should just say it. We are not going to oppose your adjournment.

“This habit is showing that you’re only stalling the case. You’ve only called two witnesses out of the 50 witnesses you said you would call and it has been two weeks since tribunal started.

“I just want to make it clear that it is not correct that the INEC chairman refused to respond to the subpoena. The chairman of INEC has no interest whatsoever. So it’s very unfair and uncharitable.”