Jime Vs Ortom: INEC rests defence on Jime’s evidence

Independent National Electional Commission (INEC) says it rests its case on evidence extracted from the petitioners (Emmanuel Jime, APC) and the documents they (petitioners) tendered.

Last week, the commission applied for today, 15th August, 2019 to open and close its case.

At the resumption of trial, lead counsel to INEC Offiong Offiong SAN told the Honourable Tribunal: “Having taken a calm review of all that the petitioners have done and what we have achieved in crosss examination, we think that evidence extracted from the petitioners and the documents they tendered are sufficient and we do not intend to call witnesses.

“In the event that there is any witness that we can tender documents from we will do so. That is the case of the 1st Respondent pursuant to Para 46(5) of the First Schedule to the Elctoral Act 2010 (as amended).”

Samuel Ortom’s legal representative Edward Ashiekaa SAN said the second respondent will be calling witnesses.

“If this were a civil process we would have taken the foot steps of the 1st respondent. But because election matters are sui generis, we will call witnesses,” Ashiekaa told the Honourable Tribunal and apply for another date.

In his ruling, chairman of the Tribunal Honourable Justice Henry Olusiyi adjourned until Friday, 16th August, 2019 for the 2nd respondent to open its case.

“The 1st Resondent by consent has five days to open and close its case and the days start running from tomorrow,” Justice Olusiyi held.