Edo gov: Oshiomhole begins defence

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, on Wednesday, presented three witnesses as he opened his defence at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Benin City.
 The three witnesses, who testified on behalf of Oshiomhole and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), debunked the claim earlier made by the witnesses presented to the tribunal by General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the ACN rigged the July 14, 2012 governorship election in many wards and units in the state.
Oshiomhole’s witnesses include Henry Idahagbon, Edegbe Uyi Benjamin and Guobadia Helen.
When Idahagbon was cross examined by counsel for Airhiavbere, Efe Akpofure (SAN), he debunked the allegation made by one Sunny Imafidon, who alleged that ACN members, led by Idahagbon, took huge amount of money to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials in unit 9.
    According to him, “ I don’t know Imafidon. As the agent of Can, I monitored the election in my ward and even across the state. I was the secretary of the campaign organisation. The election was free and fair devoid of any violence. The allegation that we bribed INEC officials and that I took policemen to voting centres is untrue.”
 Legal fireworks, however, heightened at the tribunal when Akpofure objected to the voter card from the second witness, Guobadia Helen, which was tended as exhibit by the lead counsel to the ACN, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), after Akpofure argued that the voter card was not in the deposition before the court.
  After the heated argument, the three-man panel, led by Justice Muazu Pindiga, accepted the voters card as exhibit.
The tribunal adjourned till today, Thursday for further cross examination of witnesses.
 But Oyeyipo, Omoruyi Omonuwa (SAN) and Niyi Akintola (SAN) countered his claim, declaring that he “misconstrued the provisions of the Electoral Act as regards the law relating to evidence.”
“They argued that “in a bid to test the credibility of the witness it is proper during cross examination to present her voters card in order to show that she was actually a registered voter”.
Oshomhole has 10 days to present his respondent witnesses before the tribunal which began yesterday (Wednesday).

Tribune