In a surprising turn of events, the All Progressives Congress (APC) today abruptly closed its defense at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal, despite earlier plans to present 24 more witnesses. The decision came after a series of damaging testimonies from the APC’s own witnesses on Tuesday, who, under cross-examination, admitted to over-voting and widespread non-compliance with the Electoral Act by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in polling units challenged by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The courtroom drama escalated when Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), lead counsel for the PDP, pointed out the APC’s failure to produce additional witnesses, attributing it to the absence of key documents yet to arrive from Benin City. Orbih’s remark drew laughter from the audience, but he maintained that the APC had no choice but to close its case without the necessary documents.
With no viable path forward, the APC’s legal team formally applied to close its case, effectively conceding that further testimony would not bolster their position. The tribunal accepted the application and set a timeline for final written addresses. Each respondent was given three days to file their addresses, while the PDP was granted 15 days to respond to INEC, Senator Okpebholo, and the APC. Final addresses are scheduled for adoption on March 3, 2025.
The closure of the defense marks a critical juncture in the case, as the tribunal now moves to final arguments and legal submissions. Given the weight of evidence, including admissions of electoral malpractice by the APC’s own witnesses, the stage is set for a decisive legal judgment. The tribunal’s ruling will likely set the course for an appeal to the Supreme Court, where the final determination on the contested election will be made.
This development underscores the high stakes of the Edo State election dispute and the potential implications for Nigeria’s electoral integrity.
