APC to call 50 witnesses to testify at Anambra Governorship Tribunal

Chris Ngige,

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has called 50 witnesses to testify on the allegation of electoral malpractice during the November 16, 17 and 30, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State.
The counsel to the APC, Olarotimi Akeredolu, and the governorship candidate of the party, Chris Ngige, announced this in Awka on Tuesday during proceedings at the Anambra Election Petitions Tribunal.
Mr. Akeredolu said that the figure was pruned down from 101 to enable speedy trial and determination of the petition.
At the resumed sitting, Mr. Akeredolu urged the Justice Ishaq Bello-led tribunal to allow him time to submit additional documents before calling witnesses.
They included forms EC8A results for Idemili South, Aguata and Awka North local council areas as well as list of ad-hoc staff for Aguata council.
However, the tribunal refused to admit as evidence extracts from polling units 004, Eri primary school, Otuocha in Anambra East council area following objections by counsel to Governor Willie Obiano and the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.
Onyechi Ikpeazu and Osita Nnadi objected to the request on grounds that it formed the central part of the dispute and that it ought to come in when a witness was being cross-examined.
They argued that the document related to the issue of multiple registrations which had already been struck out by the tribunal earlier.
According to Mr. Ikpeazu, it is not only inadmissible based on the state of the pleadings for now, “ it is also equally a contested document which due process needs to be made.
“I urge that the document should not be admitted at this stage,” he said.
Meanwhile, APC’s first witness, Uche Uzowulu, during cross-examination by Messrs Ikpeazu, Nnadi and counsel to INEC, Ayotunde Ogunleye, faulted the supplementary election of November 17, 2013.
He said that the election witnessed low turn-out because it was slated for a Sunday.
According to him, the election ought not to have been conducted on a Sunday in an area that is predominantly Christians.
“Such election cannot be held on a Friday in Kano. I could not vote on the said date due to obvious reason as a Christian,” he said.
(NAN)
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