The Presidential Election Petition Court on Monday heard that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has so far failed to provide documents needed by Peter Obi and the Labour Party to prosecute their petition before the tribunal.
At the continuation of hearing on Monday, the petitioners presented their witness, Clareta Ogar, for examination in chief and later informed the court about INEC’s refusal to release documents.
The counsel of the petitioners, J.S Okutepa, told the court that they had consistently begged INEC, written letters and tried persuading them but all to no avail and had decided to call on the lordship to intervene.
However, A.B. Mahmoud, the lead counsel for INEC, told the court that he is surprised with Mr Okutepa’s outburst having earlier assured the petitioners’ lead counsel, Livy Uzoukwu, of their readiness to cooperate. He insisted that release of documents would only be delayed if counsels failed to follow due process and such should not be blamed on INEC.
Mr Uzoukwu, then disclosed to the court that he had not even received a response to any of the letters he had sent to INEC over the documents, which has caused them delay in tendering the needed documents and calling in their witnesses.
The tribunal then cautioned counsels to LP and INEC to cooperate more instead of lamenting and wasting the time of the court.
The court also warned LP and INEC against sentiments and blackmail, advising them to put the interest and integrity of Nigeria at hand.
Also, the lead counsel to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Wole Olanipekun, pleaded with INEC and LP to calm down and work together as accusations, counter accusations will not solve the matter.
On that note Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani adjourned the petition for continuation of hearing until tomorrow, June 20.
