Security was beefed up on Wednesday within the vicinity of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal delivers judgment in the petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar challenging president Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the Feb. 23 general election.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security personnel comprising mainly men of the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps mounted security checks at both ends of the stretch of the road to the court.



NEWS9NAIJA reports that lawyers and journalists who arrived the court premises located in the Three Arms Zone, were subjected to checks by security personnel.

NEWS9NAIJA reports that tribunal on Aug.21 reserved judgment in the petition after parties adopted their addresses.

Justice Mohammed Garba, Chairman of the five-man panel of justices had stated that the judgment date would be communicated to parties.

NEWS9NAIJA reports that the president was declared the winner of the election after scoring 15,191,847 votes as against Atiku’s 11, 262,978 votes.



While adopting his address, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Counsel for Buhari, had described the petition as a sham as it lacked substance and merit.

“I have handled a few electoral petition cases, this is one petition that yarns for help, for assistance and for evidence but could not get any.

“Apart from the hype the matter has generated, there is nothing in law to support the allegations before the tribunal, Olanipekun said.



On the qualification of the president, Olanipekun said Section 131 (b) had settled that matter.

“I make bold to say that the Constitution and case laws had not compelled the candidates of the election to tendered certificates or attached same to INEC form before submission.

“The laws only mandate any person contesting election in the country to have gone to school up to Secondary School level,’’ he said.

On the issue of election results transmission by electronic means, the counsel said the use of such technology must be provided for in the Electoral Act.

“The allegation on the management of server by INEC is vague. Where is the server? This is a million dollar question that the petitioners could not substantiate.

“My Lords, this petition was not properly diagnosed, the action was ill-advised, I therefore urge the tribunal not to bow to sentiment or public opinion that does not represent the law.

“This petition is liable to be dismissed with a considerable cost’’, Olanipekun said.



On his part, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Counsel for All Progressive Congress (APC) said he could not help but take the liberty to align himself with the submissions made Olanipekun.

“My Lords it is disheartening to see that this petition still remains watery at this stage.

“The petition made allegations they could not proof. We have done a table showing how the petitioners have proven the case so far.

“The election took place in 119,976 Polling Units, 8,901 Wards in 774 Local Government Areas across the country.

“It is sad therefore to see that the petitioners only called 62 witnesses. Out of this figure, only five witnesses gave direct evidence of what happened in polling units on the day of election.

“I feel sad that this matter has been starved of evidence and therefore deserves to be dismissed,’’ Fagbemi said.

Also, Mr Yunus Usman, SAN, Counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) urged the panel to uphold all of its objections raised against the admissibility of all pieces of documentary and oral evidence led by the petitioners.



Usman submitted that the electoral body conducted the Feb.23 presidential election in total compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

He also urged the panel to disregard the petitioners’ claims that the results of the election were transmitted electronically to a central server managed by INEC, adding that it was the “greatest lie of the century’’.

He submitted that it was laughable when the petitioners made pleadings that suggested that only the PDP and APC and their candidates contested the election.

Usman prayed the tribunal to take judicial notice of the fact that the Electoral Act 2010 prohibited the transmission of election results electronically.

According to him, the law only provides for manual transmission of election results.

Usman said that all the witnesses presented by the petitioners admitted to the fact that transmission of election results electronically had no placed in the country’s statute books at the moment.

In countering allegations that INEC abandoned its pleadings by not presenting witnesses, the counsel said the commission simply extracted salient pieces of evidence from the petitioners’ pleadings to solidify its defence.

“It would have amounted to wasting the time of the tribunal for us to call witnesses when the petitioners could not discharge the burden of proof on allegations they had made,’’ he said.

Usman thereafter prayed the court to dismiss the petition for lack of merit.

Meanwhile, Dr Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, Counsel for the petitioners urged the tribunal to discountenance the addresses of the respondents, adding that the petitioners had indeed discharged the burden of proof.

He said the tribunal must exercise its powers in good conscience to uphold the petition and return Abubakar as president.

Uzoukwu further said the second respondent (Buhari) was unable to present his Secondary School Certificate before the tribunal in order to rest the allegation.

“My Lords, we pray the panel to judiciously and judicially evaluate our evidence in context of whether we have justified our allegation against Buhari’s certificate or not.

On the issue of server, Uzoukwu said INEC had operated, activated and stored the Feb.23 election results in a centrally controlled server.

NEWS9NAIJA reports that the tribunal would have to rule on all pending interlocutory applications filed by parties before delivering judgment on the main appeal.
CREDIT: NAN
https://www.news9naija.com.ng/2019/09/11/security-beefed-up-at-appeal-court-as-buhari-atiku-know-fate/

G

Okay...


The fortune Atiku is wasting on a case that is clearly determined by his opponent, is enough to sponsor peoples' education.But man wants to ascend that seat of the president because of greater fortune.No doubt.

Painful enough, Muhammadu would rather die than to allow that because of his tyrannical reputation.

Atiku should start preparing ooooo...it is time for victory.
Hit the drums, roll the carpet...its the dawn of a new day...a new horizon...


Who slapped me?
Someone cannot play with guys again

Patiently waiting.

Cumming


Olanikpekun defense is where the judgement is going to.

The Igbo scammer counsel is just begging the judges to have mercy why not presenting the evidences as stated by olanikpekun

Imagine how much money, time, energy and attention is being spent on this case.

Wondering why Nigeria is stagnant? DEMOCRACY is the cause.

If it were military or monarchy, simple thing one person will take government and life continues. He'll focus on work.

If he's a thief, at least it will be only one thief and damage will be minimal. Unlike having scores of honourables, senators and representatives looting and looting legit.

And even, by the time he loots for a decade, nothing go dey shack am again. He will face work and at least try to build a reputation for himself.

This democracy is the reason why we're backward. That thing called freedom of speech, press, women and blah blah blah are all scams.

Ponder well you'll see.

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Buhari must go!

Aritculate

OK oooo

This is the exact reason why onnoghen was removed by bubu

Hmmmm...lets see how it what will happen....

Buhari security abi

In a crazy sound track...
Gan gan gaaaan

So you'll now win Buhari and you expect him to just vacate office for you like that?? Let's be realistic please

It is 4+4. Next Level all the way!

Ok SIr

Today na today! I wan do the Hit Like or Share but abeg...any one wey come out and win, God dey

If Buhari win this case, then there's no justice for the common man and tribunal will not be trusted to save the vulnerable man.

me am still waiting for them to hear the final verdict

Which day will INEC and judiciary be independent?

They have an important role in our democratic process

For INEC elections are won at the polling unit not in Abuja.

Good candidate or evil candidate let the election be free and fair.

INEc can do better to solve our country

Buhari the Fulani man

I can't wait to see Buhari being retired today

Can't say anything now until the final judgment