November 2, 2024

JUST IN: INEC Provides Atiku, PDP with Requested Documents

By Funmi Aworele – July 18, 2019

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) cartons of documents as requested by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar.

The tribunal of five judges led by Justice Mohammed Garba had on Wednesday ordered INEC to produce the documents by noon on Thursday.

The petitioners are challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the February 23 poll.

The documents contained in about 45 cartons, brought to the court’s sitting venue on Thursday, were received by lawyer to the PDP and Atiku (petitioners), Chris Uche (SAN).

This followed the complaints by the petitioners that the subpoenas issued and served on INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, and the commission’s Residential Electoral Commissioner in Zamfara State had not been complied with.

The tribunal had adjourned the case till Friday, but the counsel for the PDP and Atiku, Chris Uche (SAN), attended the Thursday’s proceedings scheduled for other petitions filed by the Hope Democratic Party and the Peoples Democratic Movement to ensure INEC’s compliance with the order.

Around the time the five-man panel was to recede to chambers to write a ruling in respect of PDM’s petition, Uche informed the bench of his intention in court on Thursday.

In reaction, Justice Garba asked for an update from INEC’s lawyer, Yunus Usman (SAN).

Replying, Usman informed the tribunal that the “documents had been substantially produced”.

“It is a very tedious task, but we have to obey the court’s order,” Usman added.

The tribunal then promised to “deal with the issue” when it returns to deliver its ruling.

As the tribunal rose, officials were seen bringing the documents tied up in 18 boxes into the courtroom.

Uche told journalists, after the court’s proceedings, that the petitioners will formally tender the documents on Friday, when they are expected to close their case.

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