Edo Tribunal: INEC Submits More BVAS Machines as PDP wraps up case amid protests by APC lawyers

A dramatic twist unfolded today at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) submitted additional BVAS machines. As the devices were presented, a chorus of protests erupted from APC’s legal team, who vehemently objected to the admission of fresh evidence at this stage of the trial. Senior counsel […]

A dramatic twist unfolded today at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) submitted additional BVAS machines.

As the devices were presented, a chorus of protests erupted from APC’s legal team, who vehemently objected to the admission of fresh evidence at this stage of the trial.

Senior counsel representing the APC, Governor Okpebholo, and INEC scrambled to challenge the submission but were overruled, with the tribunal allowing the evidence to be admitted.

Following the development, PDP counsel formally closed their case, expressing confidence that the mountain of evidence submitted was sufficient to prove their claims.

“This is the final nail,” a PDP lawyer remarked outside the courtroom. “With the BVAS machines and all the evidence we have submitted to the court, our case is sealed.”

Meanwhile, the APC legal team pleaded for more time to review the new evidence and prepare their defense.

Tribunal judges adjourned the case to Wednesday the 5th of February.

INEC, Sen. Okpebholo and the APC are now expected to produce their own witnesses in defence of their claim that Sen. Monday was duly elected as governor.

INEC had declared APC winner of the September 21 election, but the APC rejected the result, alleging irregularities, including over-voting.