Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi State, is scheduled to commence his defense at the state governorship election petition hearing in Abuja on Wednesday.
This development follows the closure of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s defense in the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party and its governorship candidate in the November 11 Kogi State election, Murtala Ajaka, which took place on Tuesday.
Reportedly, the counsel for INEC, Uchenna Njoku, submitted numerous documents on Monday as evidence to support the governor’s victory.
Among the documents tendered were the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of the Election, INEC Manuals for Electoral Officers, and INEC Form EC8C, among others.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, Njoku presented additional documents, which were accepted as exhibits by the tribunal.
These newly admitted documents include the summary of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, another document with the BVAS’ identification numbers, and details regarding the BVAS machines utilized in the election, among other items.
Njoku informed the tribunal presided by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudo that INEC would not be presenting any witnesses following an assessment of the petitioners’ case.
He further stated the commission’s decision to conclude its case.
He stated, “Your honors, after a careful review of the pleadings in this petition, the evidence presented by the petitioners’ witnesses during cross-examination, and the documents provided as evidence by the 1st respondent, INEC has decided it is unnecessary to prolong the tribunal proceedings by calling witnesses.
“Therefore, INEC requests to close its case.”
Subsequently, Justice Birnin-Kudo formally closed the commission’s case and adjourned the proceedings to April 16 for Ododo to present his defense.