OBA Presents 5 witnesses as hearing begins in Governorship Election Tribunal, Uyo

Hearing has begun at the Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Uyo in the petition between Senator Bassey Albert Akpan of YPP and INEC, Pastor Umo Eno and PDP, with Akpan presenting five witnesses.

Witnesses presented were: Hogan Ben Inyang, Sunny Ibuot, Nkereuwem Dickson Akpabio, Asuquo Odiong and Ndifreke Edem Udoh.

Led in evidence by the petitioner’s counsel, Ahmed Raji, SAN, the witnesses upon adopting their statements as evidence, also tendered their certificates issued by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as exhibits.

On cross examination by counsels for 2nd (Umo Eno)and 3rd (PDP) respondents, the witnesses admitted their inability to explain why all the certificates tendered did not have identical features, adding that only the issuing body, WAEC, can explain.

They also said that apart from sitting for and passing the required examinations, they did not know any other procedures involved in the issuance of certificates and that they have never worked with WAEC.

Although Paul Usoro, SAN and Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, counsels for Pastor Umo Eno and PDP, respectively, objected to the admission of the WAEC certificates in evidence, they however withheld the reason for such objections till final address.

Earlier, Ahmed Raji, the petitioner’s counsel suggested that all the eight petitions before the tribunal be consolidated to save time but the Court ruled that they should be taken individually as they contained different prayers.

Hearing continues tomorrow, June 7, 2023, as the Tribunal has indicated it’s readiness to accommodate more witnesses.