The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta capital has admitted in evidence documents tendered by Chief Kenneth Gbagi, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at the March 18, governorship election in the state.
At the tribunal sitting on Saturday, the three-man panel led by its chairman, Justice C.J Ahuchaogu admitted the evidences tendered by the lead counsel to Gbagi, Mr. Magaji Ibrahim (SAN).
Ibrahim told the panel that the election which produced the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, as governor of the state, was characterized by irregularities, electoral malpractices, non-compliance to the 2022 Electoral Act, among others.
Counsels to the Respondents said they would canvass the reasons for their objections in their final written addresses after their failed attempts to object to the evidences tendered before the tribunal.
Justice Ahuchaogu, told the counsels that in as much they have allowed the documents to be tendered, their actions implies that they have given their consent for the documents to be tendered.
He however told them that they have the opportunity to object in their final written addresses as they had earlier stated.
After arguments from the counsels, Ahuchaogu, ruled that the petitioner need to prove or establish the substance of such documents even when the evidences are admitted.
“We hereby grant the application for the counsel to tender these documents”, Ahuchaogu said.
The tribunal subsequently adjourned to 19th and 20th of July 2023 for continuation of hearing on the petition.