The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on Friday opened and closed its case in the case filed by Tonye Cole before the Rivers Election Governorship tribunal sitting in Abuja.
INEC Counsel Ikani Agabi SAN didn’t call any witnesses but presented 3 different documents consisting 22 local government results, 1 State Collation results and declaration of results sheet.
The counsel for Cole, Jibrin Okutepa SAN however rejected the admissibility of the 22 Local government results as exibits , insisting that INEC had continuously refused to provide the documents despite being subpoenaed.
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INEC counsel Ikani Agabi who held the brief of Kanu Agabi while tendering their apologies said he is not aware of INEC’s refusal to issue needed documents to Cole.
Okutepa however did not object to the admissibility of the State Collation results and Declaration of Results sheet which he said he already has.
INEC closed its case without calling a single witness and relied on the petitioners case.
Tonye Cole closed his case with himself, the sole petitioner and last witness to testify.
The three member panel led by justice Cletus Emifonye adjourned the matter to Monday, August 7th, for Fubara to open His defence
Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressive congress became the only petitioner after his Party, the APC ,who was the second petitioner withdrew from the case
He is challenging the election of the Governor of Rivers State, Simnalayi Fubara who is the second respondent in the case alleging electoral malpractice
Editor Oloyede Oworu
