The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the March 18 Rivers state governorship election, Cole Patrick, has expressed dismay over the slow pace of the Independent National Electoral Commission in releasing needed documents to prove their petition.
Counsel representing Patrick, Jibrin Okutepa made this known on Tuesday while pleading with the court for an extension of the pre-hearing stage to get the necessary documents with the threat to Sopeana INEC.
His Appeal was opposed by counsel for, Inec Ikani Agabi SAN, PDP Sammie Somiari SAN, and the governor of Rivers state, Fubara Simniliyi, Joshua Musa who said the documents are not needed at the pre-hearing stage but for the trial.
He urged the tribunal to conclude the pre-hearing and give its report.
Okutepa later aligned with the counsel’s suggestion but pleaded for time to enable him to get the necessary documents to prove his case.
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While he suggested 23rd June, the remaining counsel suggested a date in July, the judge, however, fixed the 3rd of July for the commencement of trial.
The tribunal court Concluded its pre-hearing stage on Patrick’s petition today and fixed Thursday to give report of the pre-hearing stage.
Cole Patrick and the All Progressives Congress previously filed a petition as the first and second petitioners challenging the victory of Rivers State governor Fubara Simniliyi.
However, the All Progressives Congress abandoned the Petition leaving Patrick as the only petitioner in the case.
(Editor: Ena Agbanoma)
