The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) has closed its defence at the ongoing Election Tribunal.
The commission closed its defence against the Petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The Commission also failed to call forward any witness.
Speaking on the development, the commission’s legal counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman(SAN) said there was no need to do so. “We have painstakingly reviewed evidence by petitioners’ witnesses. We painstakingly studied petitioners’ witnesses on that cross-examination which supports our defence and denial in consonance with our pleadings.
“We do not see the need to waste your lordships precious time in repeating what their own witness have admitted. “In consequence, we will not call any witness to help them for their case.
“We, therefore, rely on the evidence of their witness under cross-examination.”
Counsel to Muhammadu Buhari, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) did not oppose the submission, while PDP counsel, Levy Uzoukwu thanked the commission for saving the tribunal six days.
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