Election petition: INEC, Buhari, APC seek suspension of tribunal’s proceedings, complain of ambush by Atiku

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

Respondents to the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have called for the “suspension” of proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday (today).

Thursday was scheduled for the commencement of trial, when the petitioners challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the February 23 election, were to begin calling their witnesses.

But shortly after the petitioners’ lawyer, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), indicated to the tribunal that he was starting the petitioners’ case with Niger State, Buhari’s counsel, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), rose to call for a halt of the proceedings.

He complained that he was only served with the petitioners’ schedule of documents shortly before the commencement of sitting.

This, he said, was contrary to the agreement that the schedule would be filed and served far ahead of proceedings.

Counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission, Yunus Usman (SAN), and the All Progressives Congress’ Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), also expressed the same misgivings.

They said the alleged late filing and serving of the same schedule was an ambush and called for the suspension of the trial to enable them to go through the schedule.

But Uzoukwu expressed surprise over the observation made by the respondents’ lawyers.

He said his team “should be commended and not condemned”, as he could not have served the schedule earlier than Thursday morning, because the registry of the court only completed the processing earlier on Thursday.

He alleged that the time within which the petitioners had to present their case “is being compromised by the respondents”.

He said the schedule to be used for Niger and Jigawa States was already with the respondents.

The Justice Mohammed Garba-led tribunal of five judges has stood down the matter for 30 minutes to rule.

Meanwhile, there are now about 70 boxes of electoral materials in respect of Kebbi, Yobe, Jigawa and Niger States in the courtroom.

https://punchng.com/election-petition-inec-buhari-apc-seek-suspension-of-tribunals-proceedings-complain-of-ambush-by-atiku/

It's about to start

Tuniski, ChristianNorth, legal firework about to start.

No delay tactics will work

Atiku wasting his time and money

engineerboat:
It's about to start

Tuniski, ChristianNorth, legal firework about to start.

No delay tactics will work

You had an agreement to serve earlier but you decided to do so this morning when the issue should be heard.
You are on a long thing.

engineerboat:
Election petition: INEC, Buhari, APC seek suspension of tribunal’s proceedings, complain of ambush by Atiku

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

Respondents to the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have called for the “suspension” of proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday (today).

Thursday was scheduled for the commencement of trial, when the petitioners challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the February 23 election, were to begin calling their witnesses.

But shortly after the petitioners’ lawyer, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), indicated to the tribunal that he was starting the petitioners’ case with Niger State, Buhari’s counsel, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), rose to call for a halt of the proceedings.

He complained that he was only served with the petitioners’ schedule of documents shortly before the commencement of sitting.

This, he said, was contrary to the agreement that the schedule would be filed and served far ahead of proceedings.

Counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission, Yunus Usman (SAN), and the All Progressives Congress’ Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), also expressed the same misgivings.

They said the alleged late filing and serving of the same schedule was an ambush and called for the suspension of the trial to enable them to go through the schedule.

But Uzoukwu expressed surprise over the observation made by the respondents’ lawyers.

He said his team “should be commended and not condemned”, as he could not have served the schedule earlier than Thursday morning, because the registry of the court only completed the processing earlier on Thursday.

He alleged that the time within which the petitioners had to present their case “is being compromised by the respondents”.

He said the schedule to be used for Niger and Jigawa States was already with the respondents.

The Justice Mohammed Garba-led tribunal of five judges has stood down the matter for 30 minutes to rule.

Meanwhile, there are now about 70 boxes of electoral materials in respect of Kebbi, Yobe, Jigawa and Niger States in the courtroom.

https://punchng.com/election-petition-inec-buhari-apc-seek-suspension-of-tribunals-proceedings-complain-of-ambush-by-atiku/

APC/INeC thought they are dealing with neophytes. They will have to be at their best to stand the robust petition of Atiku/pdp.

OAUTemitayo:
Atiku wasting his time and money

His time and money thank God they aint yours!

tuniski:

His time and money thank they aint yours!

Our money actually.

OAUTemitayo:

You had an agreement to serve earlier but you decided to do so this morning when the issue should be heard.
You are on a long thing.

Whose responsibility is that, when is the earlier stipulated time.

Pre-hearing ended yesterday.

All process was rounded up by the court this morning, so what are you saying

OAUTemitayo:
Atiku wasting his time and money

At least its not your money

OAUTemitayo:

Our money actually.

Your money.

Okay hooo

Someone is scared. Buhari's days are numbered.

engineerboat:
Election petition: INEC, Buhari, APC seek suspension of tribunal’s proceedings, complain of ambush by Atiku

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja

Respondents to the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have called for the “suspension” of proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday (today).

Thursday was scheduled for the commencement of trial, when the petitioners challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the February 23 election, were to begin calling their witnesses.

But shortly after the petitioners’ lawyer, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), indicated to the tribunal that he was starting the petitioners’ case with Niger State, Buhari’s counsel, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), rose to call for a halt of the proceedings.

He complained that he was only served with the petitioners’ schedule of documents shortly before the commencement of sitting.

This, he said, was contrary to the agreement that the schedule would be filed and served far ahead of proceedings.

Counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission, Yunus Usman (SAN), and the All Progressives Congress’ Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), also expressed the same misgivings.

They said the alleged late filing and serving of the same schedule was an ambush and called for the suspension of the trial to enable them to go through the schedule.

But Uzoukwu expressed surprise over the observation made by the respondents’ lawyers.

He said his team “should be commended and not condemned”, as he could not have served the schedule earlier than Thursday morning, because the registry of the court only completed the processing earlier on Thursday.

He alleged that the time within which the petitioners had to present their case “is being compromised by the respondents”.

He said the schedule to be used for Niger and Jigawa States was already with the respondents.

The Justice Mohammed Garba-led tribunal of five judges has stood down the matter for 30 minutes to rule.

Meanwhile, there are now about 70 boxes of electoral materials in respect of Kebbi, Yobe, Jigawa and Niger States in the courtroom.

https://punchng.com/election-petition-inec-buhari-apc-seek-suspension-of-tribunals-proceedings-complain-of-ambush-by-atiku/

Hahaha. una never see anything.

Atiku is coming

Time is being wasted unnecessarily in this case. A petition filed since March should have gone way beyond this stage.

Maybe Atiku is going to be worse than Buhari, that's how we thought Buhari would come to better things that were bastardized by Jonathan government, he's even worse than him.

why's Apc afraid of the sittings in the first place.

Tajbol4splend:
Maybe Atiku is going to be worse than Buhari, that's how we thought Buhari would come to better things that were bastardized by Jonathan government, he's even worse than him.

Don't assume, let the court do its job and then give him the benefit of doubt

Tajbol4splend:
Maybe Atiku is going to be worse than Buhari, that's how we thought Buhari would come to better things that were bastardized by Jonathan government, he's even worse than him.

We knew Buhari was a failure since 1983/85 it was those under 35yrs that were cajoled by revisionists into voting Buhari alongside ethno-religion bigots.


The worst of Atiku is better than the best of buhari.

Johnnyessence:
why's Apc afraid of the sittings in the first place.

They don't know where and how Atiku/PDP legal team will take on them. While some think 120000+ witnesses are required, this petition will show the place of quality over quantity!

tuniski:

They don't know where and how Atiku/PDP legal team will take on them. While some think 120000+ witnesses are required, this petition will show the place of quality over quantity!

hmm you sure on point.

tuniski:

They don't know where and how Atiku/PDP legal team will take on them. While some think 120000+ witnesses are required, this petition will show the place of quality over quantity!

APC e-lawyers were of the opinion that Atiku will need 120000 witnesses in their illusioned mind.

So that they can waste more time.

They are in for trouble.

We shall meet

How can you suspend something that's sanctioned by law??

Updates:

Atiku, PDP open trial, as tribunal overrules call for suspension of proceedings

The Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have opened trial at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja in respect of their petition challenging the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari, at the February 23, 2019 poll.

The petitioners’ legal team led by Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), on Thursday, opened the trial by tendering electoral document, Form EC8C for Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State.

The tendering was opposed by the respondents’ lawyers, but as earlier agreed among the parties, the lawyers said they would give the reasons for their objection to the document at the final address stage.

The trial finally opened after the five-man tribunal’s dismissal of the respondents’ earlier request for the suspension of the trial on Thursday.

The respondents comprising the Independent National Electoral Commission, Buhari and his party, the All Progressives Congress, had earlier called for the suspension of the proceedings on the grounds of alleged late filing and serving of the petitioners’ schedule of documents on them shortly before sitting began on Thursday.

But ruling, the five-man bench led by Justice Mohammed Garba, dismissed the respondents’ request, saying that the agreements reached between the parties at the pre-hearing session concluded earlier on Wednesday, had stipulated that trial would commence on Thursday.

Justice Garba, who delivered the ruling of the tribunal added that the agreement reached which was adopted at the tribunal’s directive on Wednesday did also not make the service of the schedule of documents a condition-precedent for the commencement of trial.

He added that the respondents could also not validly claimed to have been ambushed by the alleged late filing of the schedule since the documents listed in it had been referenced in the petition filed and served on the respondents months ago.

The tribunal has admitted the Form EC8C for Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State tendered by the petitioners as Exhibit P1.

As of the time of filing this report, the petitioners’ lead counsel has asked to tender Forms EC8A and EC8B‎ (series of polling unit and ward results) in respect of the said local government area.

OAUTemitayo:

You had an agreement to serve earlier but you decided to do so this morning when the issue should be heard.
You are on a long thing.

Is your eyes clearer now.


Justice Garba, who delivered the ruling of the tribunal added that the agreement reached which was adopted at the tribunal’s directive on Wednesday did also not make the service of the schedule of documents a condition-precedent for the commencement of trial.

He added that the respondents could also not validly claimed to have been ambushed by the alleged late filing of the schedule since the documents listed in it had been referenced in the petition filed and served on the respondents months ago.

Sometime when students did not prepare for exam that is when they cause riots in school so that students will be sent home.

APC e-lawyers una better get down to work,

Tribunal had started work no more delay tactics

they are afraid of Atiku and PDP

Sad

If there are no skeleteons in the cupboard why are Buhari and co vehemently demanding for closure of case?

Fear don catch them

Politically I'm a dummy, but with all these flimsy excuses APC and the presidency keeps giving shows there's are some elements of fact in the PDP claim. just saying what I think though.

OAUTemitayo:
Atiku wasting his time and money

he's not wasting anything.

Though it's probably a lost cause but in this case he's helping Nigeria creating the awareness that the president can also be challenged.

Not the way other politicians are liking his ass like he's more powerful than they are especially the judiciaries

These judges have a chance to write their names into the history of the country

They need not only be outstanding judges but heroes of our democracy

Please save us from the menace called Buhari

Since Atiku left everything to the Igbo lawyers and Vice candidate.to go and flex in Dubai, i knew stricking the petition out was immenent.

Lets see the miracle the 88 year old evil law Professor that helped Aguyi ironsi to abolish our Regional system and write the fraudulent Unitary/Federal System Constituition




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