The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are preparing to present a total of 290 witnesses at the Edo State governorship election petition tribunal.
This follows a petition filed by the PDP’s candidate in the September 21 election, Asue Ighodalo, contesting the announcement of APC’s Monday Okpebholo as the election winner. Tribunal chairman Justice Wilfred Kpochi disclosed on Saturday that all involved parties have agreed on the witness count.
The hearings have been rescheduled for January 13, 2025, with petitioners given a 21-day period to present their witnesses, while respondents will have 10 days each.
Justice Kpochi emphasized that the tribunal will convene daily at 10 am, excluding Sundays and public holidays. He specified that the examination and cross-examination of witnesses will adhere to strict time limits: star witnesses will have 40 minutes for examination-in-chief, with 30 minutes allotted for petitioners’ cross-examination and 20 minutes for respondents’.
Ordinary witnesses will be given 25 minutes for examination-in-chief and 10 minutes for re-examination. Only those witnesses whose statements have been pre-submitted or who have been subpoenaed will be permitted.
To facilitate communication, interpreters will be available for witnesses who require translation from English into local languages such as Benin, Esan, or Auchi dialects.
