Dr Levi Uzoukwu (SAN), the leading counsel to the Labour Party (LP) and Peter Obi has blasted Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for showing a lack of preparation in defending its case at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPC).
Uzoukwu made this comment on Monday, shortly after the court adjourned its resumed sitting, following the absence of INEC’s first defence witness.
The PEPC was forced to adjourn after the first of three witnesses scheduled to appear on behalf of INEC failed to appear allegedly on account of what the commission cited as domestic issues.
Speaking to newsmen just outside the court, the LP lawyer said his camp has a strong case and are ready to move on with their case, unlike the INEC that has continued to show inconsistencies.
“Given the contradictions and inconsistencies and what INEC has done; I’m sure they are not ready to defend this case.
“I stand to be proven wrong, but I would wish that they defend this matter so that the public will see more things of what happened to this election,” he told Channels Television
While reiterating that Nigeria has never had an election like the February 25th presidential poll, the legal counsel stressed that it is the INEC’s choice to either call a witness or witnesses, adding that he and his client the LP, are ready at all times.
It would be recalled that at the mention of the case around 9:30 am, lawyer to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), told the court that although his client planned to call three witnesses within three days, the one slated for today was unavailable on account of domestic issues.
Lawyers to other parties in the case – Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) for Obi/LP, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettma, and Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not object to the request by the INEC lawyer.