Edo Tribunal Adjourns Hearing of Petition Against Okpebholo’s Election to January 13

• The Edo State governorship election tribunal has adjourned the PDP’s petition against Governor Monday Okpebholo to January 13, 2025
• A total of 290 witnesses will be called during the proceedings, with specific time allocations for their testimonies and cross-examinations

The Edo State governorship election petitions tribunal has adjourned the hearing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s petition challenging Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election victory to January 13, 2025.

The PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, filed the petition contesting Okpebholo’s declaration as the September 21 gubernatorial poll winner.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Okpebholo, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, postponed the hearing after adopting the pre-hearing report.

The report outlined the framework for the trial, with an agreement among the parties to call 290 witnesses.

Star witnesses will have 40 minutes for examination-in-chief, 30 minutes for cross-examination by petitioners, and 20 minutes for cross-examination by each respondent.

Ordinary witnesses will have 25 minutes for examination-in-chief and 10 minutes for re-examination.

The petitioners must present their witnesses within 21 days or less, while respondents will have 10 days each to call theirs.

The tribunal plans to hold daily sittings from 10:00 a.m., excluding Sundays and gazetted public holidays.