The Kogi State governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja on Friday adjourned the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka, to May 13, 2024.
It was learnt that the parties are expected to adopt their final written addresses during the next adjourned date. It would be recalled that the SDP and its governorship candidate in the November 11, 2023 poll, are challenging Governor Ododo’s victory in the election.
In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as the 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.
When the case was called on Friday, INEC, Ododo and APC’s lawyers opposed the move by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, to lead the witness, Edidiong Udoh, a Digital Forensic Expert, in evidence.
Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN; Alex Iziyon, SAN and Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, who appeared for INEC, governor and APC, respectively, argued that the petitioners did not list the name of the witness in their proof of evidence and that the witness statement on oath was not front-loaded alongside the petition.
They also contended that the petitioners served the reports of the witness’ analysis on them 20 minutes before the commencement of the proceedings.
But Okutepa insisted that the forensic expert was listed on Page 56 of the petition as item 10, adding that his statement was also front-loaded.
