By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Monday, failed to present any of its three witnesses to open thier defense against Labour Party and it’s Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPEC).
According to the pre-hearing report schedule, the electoral body was to open defense, 3rd July, after Prosecutions closed their case.
Its lead counsel and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association NBA, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmood SAN informed the Court of his plan to call three witnesses to counter the allegations of the Labour Party LP and its Presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi.
He however lamented that non of the witnesses was in court due to domestic reasons for him to open the defense.
The senior lawyer pleaded with the Court to bear with him and applied for adjournment of his defense.
However, lead counsel to Peter Obi Dr Livy Uzoukwu SAN, expressed shock and surprised with the conduct of the electoral body.
He told the court that INEC lawyer ought to have taken him into confidence before the commencement of the proceedings.
However, Counsel to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN and Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not object to request for adjournment of INEC’S plea for the case to be shifted.
Consequently, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani adjourned till July 4.
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