— Edo Gov hurriedly Closes Case After First Witness Goof
In a dramatic turn of events at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s legal team unexpectedly closed their case on Monday, February 10, 2025. This decision came after their first key witness faltered during a rigorous cross-examination by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.
The shocking development reverberated through the packed courtroom, leaving supporters and legal experts alike in a state of disbelief.
The PDP and Dr. Asue Ighodalo had filed a petition contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State. During the resumed hearing of the petition, referenced as EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, Okpebholo’s legal counsel, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, was prepared to present six witnesses to defend claims of over-voting, non-serialization of electoral materials, and alleged discrepancies in the computation of results that favored the APC during the controversial September 21st governorship election.
The courtroom drama escalated when Okpebholo’s witness, Usman Majek, a farmer from Ovia South-West Local Government Area—an area known to be a stronghold of incumbent Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa—admitted under cross-examination to instances of over-voting in his locality. This revelation directly contradicted previous assertions by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the election in that region was conducted fairly, creating a stir in the courtroom.
In light of this damaging testimony, Okpebholo’s legal team appeared shaken and opted not to call the remaining witnesses on their list, hastily concluding their defense.
Following this, APC’s counsel, Emanuel Ukala SAN, promptly requested an adjournment to reassess their defense strategy and consider their own witnesses.
This situation mirrors a recent move by INEC, which had closed its defense without presenting a single witness, despite listing several individuals intended to support its declaration of Okpebholo as the election winner.
The tribunal has adjourned proceedings until Wednesday, February 12, 2025, allowing the respondents time to review their case. The upcoming sessions will be closely monitored as both parties prepare to articulate their arguments.
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