Below are some details of what transpired at the Presidential Election Petition Court on Monday, June 19, 2023, as documented by Oluchi via her Twitter handle, @General_Oluchi:
Dr. Uzoukwu is complaining to the judges that INEC is still refusing to give them all the documents they asked for.
“We are bringing this to your attention because we have done everything humanly possible. We now ask your lordship to come to our aid. This afternoon, we received a few copies of IREV reports of 3 LGA in Lagos State – Agege, Mushin, Oshodi, Isolo, Epe, Surulere, Etiosa.
“These documents were certified on the 29th of May but they withheld it until today. The same thing happened for Gombe state. They only gave us 2 LGA this afternoon. I personally delivered a letter to Mahmood SAN on May 20th, 2023 listing all the documents wanted.
“On March 2023, we wrote to INEC asking for these documents to enable us to give them proof of our petitions. We also served subpoenas to the President and Commander In Chief and it was rejected. They refused to come. A series of Subpoenas have been issued.”
“We have nowhere to cry to but to your lordship and that is why we are doing this now. It appears that INEC is deliberately delaying us. We apply that a copy of the Subpoena be served to his clients (INEC) and let them bring the documents to us.
“My lord, if they don’t have the document, they should state it on record and we will know they don’t have it. My lord, we all know the procedure…”
Judge: if you know the procedure then use it!
Uzoukwu: “We were given time to present our case and time is running out. If this case doesn’t have a time frame and doesn’t encourage delay tactics, then we won’t bother. We are facing frustration.”
AB Mahmoud: I received Dr. Livy’s letter and have provided what they asked for. There are procedures and protocols which they are aware of but they are pretending not to know. We are fully aware of how serious and urgent this matter is and can’t sit here listening to Dr. Livy talking about this. I will restrain myself from getting angry.”
Livy: “My lord, I am sorry, but what I am saying is the fact. I am shocked that AB Mahmoud said he replied to my letter, but I didn’t receive any letter.”
Judge: Apart from your complaint, what else do you have for the court today?
Dr. Livy: “The issue is that we don’t have all the documents we want to continue tendering our evidence and calling witnesses. The complaint has been made but we are ready to go back to INEC to see if they are ready to give the documents. Due to INEC’s conduct, this process is frustrated!”
Judge: What is the way forward?
Dr. Livy: “If they are willing to give us the documents today, then tomorrow we continue. But as long as the documents are paid for and we don’t have them, they are keeping us hostage. They won’t accept the subpoena!”
Nigerians react:
Peter Obi’s Charisma, @Mene_Adaobi:
Why is the Judge still telling LP lawyers to use the procedure they know when LP lawyers have already used every available procedure but met a brick wall. I don’t trust those judges. I keep saying it. Those Judges are already acting like APC & INEC. They’re Frustrating LP as well.
Alonna Obika, @alonnaobika:
Let the LP lawyers demand for a Bench warrant for the INEC Chairman to show cause why he isn’t providing the requested materials.
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