The Presidential Election Petitions Court has admitted in evidence the membership list of the Labour Party for Anambra state, showing that the LP presidential candidate Peter Obi was not a member of the party at the time the register was submitted to INEC.
The list was submitted along with a letter of membership registration sent to INEC and dated February 25, 2022
In opposing Peter Obi’s petition, Tinubu and Shettima are contesting Obi’s legal status to file the petition, arguing that he was not a candidate in the first place having not been included in the list of members of the party in his state.
The document formed part of 18 documents tendered by Tinubu and Shettima and admitted by the court in defence of the petition by Labour Party and Peter Obi.
Tinubu also presented his only witness, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele who testified on the alleged criminal forfeiture case against Tinubu in a US court
Bamidele who told the court he was licensed to practice law in New York and is a member of the American Bar Association, said the said forfeiture was a civil one and not criminal.
MUST READ: Tinubu begins defence of election victory in court on Tuesday
Under cross-examination by Labour Party’s lead counsel Livy Uzoukwu, it was noted that Bamidele did not submit any identification to show that he was licensed to practice in the state of New York.
But he insisted that his membership of the New York bar grants him license to practice federal law across the US.
Wednesday’s hearing brings to a conclusion the evidence stage of the petition of the Labour Party and Peter Obi, after the APC which was next in line to present its defense said it will rely on the witness of Tinubu and Shettima.
The next stage of the hearing is the adoption of addresses. The court has directed the respondents to file their addresses within 10 days while the petitioners have 7 days to reply. 5 days have been given to the respondents if they wish to file a reply on points of law, after which the court will appoint a date for adoption of the addresses.
(Editor :Oloyede Oworu)
