The Petition filed by Peter Gregory Obi and the Labour Party against the return of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came up today before the Presidential Election Tribunal sitting in Abuja for commencement of hearing.
The Petitioners called their first witness, one Lawrence Ukechukwu Nnana Nwakaeti. Through this witness, the record of proceedings of the United States District Court and an alleged order of forfeiture of monies belonging to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were tendered and admitted in evidence. Other documents admitted in evidence for the Petitioners are Certified True Copies of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s INEC Forms EC11A, EC9 and EC11C.
INEC’s cross examination of the witness was conducted by Dr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN. Under cross examination, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN asked questions to show that all the averments contained in the witness’ statement on oath were his own subjective legal opinion and issues of law. The witness agreed under cross examination that he had never published any book on constitutional law and had never been an amicus either in the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court. Dr. Pinheiro, SAN also confronted the witness that he had a penchant of causing crisis everywhere he goes including in his local community.
Counsel for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressive Congress, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN and Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN also established under cross examination of the witness that the proceedings of the United States District Court relied upon by the Petitioners are only civil in nature as no criminal charge was ever filed against President Tinubu in the United States. The witness also confirmed to the Court that he had only travelled to the United States in 2003.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, the 31st of May, 2023 for continuation of hearing.
