INEC Closes Case at Edo Governorship Tribunal Without Presenting a Single Witness

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has wrapped up its case before the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal without presenting a single witness. This move came after INEC’s legal team formally moved to close its case, a motion that was accepted by the tribunal.

Instead of presenting testimony, INEC has opted to rely solely on cross-examinations and legal arguments provided by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo’s legal team. This marks a significant development in the ongoing tribunal proceedings.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had initially challenged the results of the election, accusing INEC of being complicit in widespread irregularities and vote manipulation. The PDP’s legal strategy has focused heavily on documentary evidence, leveraging key provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act, particularly Section 137, which prioritizes documentary evidence over oral testimony, and Section 73(2), which calls for the nullification of results in polling units where ballot paper and BVAS serial numbers were not pre-recorded.

So far, the tribunal has admitted important documentary evidence, including BVAS machines, into the record. Testimonies from PDP witnesses, including local government agents and an expert witness (PW12), have outlined how systemic manipulation occurred during the result collation process.

This is not the first time INEC has encountered delays. The tribunal had previously adjourned proceedings on February 5, 2025, after INEC’s five listed witnesses failed to appear, with counsel for the electoral body, Abdullahi Aliyu, stating that the witnesses were delayed on their way from Benin City. As a result, INEC decided to tender three documents to make progress in the day’s proceedings, even though its witnesses were not present.

The case continues to unfold, with the PDP focusing on documenting alleged irregularities and INEC seeking to defend its conduct of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.