NOWHERE TO HIDE: INEC’S DESPERATE TURN AT EDO GOVERNORSHIP PETITION TRIBUNAL
The failure of INEC to provide its witnesses for examination and cross examination at the ongoing sitting of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Benin City, did not come to me as a surprise. In fact I had mentioned the likelihood of such an occurrence in my previous article titled: Edo Tribunal: As INEC Takes the spotlight.
As an active participant in the disputed election as well as being sufficiently apprised of the gross shenanigans put up by INEC on September 28, 2016, I would be surprised if INEC can get just one of its indicted election day officials that can pass the integrity test in the full glare of the court. Really, I was not disappointed at the none availability of any of its witnesses on the day it ought to have opened its defense, in spite of having been put on notice, four days earlier.
However, I am disappointed by the reasons adduced by the counsel representing INEC, Oyinye Anuwonye (SAN), as being responsible for their failure. He summed it up in one nebulous cliché – logistics. He prayed the court to grant them an adjournment within the time frame of the ten days within which they must close their defense. The Tribunal really did not have any choice than to oblige the respondent its prayer. The very learned counsel said that they needed the time to put together logistics and to prepare their witnesses. They got their time and we are all waiting and watching.
What are the details of their excuse for the absence of all their witnesses, which include INEC permanent staff, returning officers mostly university lecturers, teachers and Youth Corpers? INEC said that they could not bring any of them to court either because they could not locate the youth corpers who have since completed their service and relocated or that they are not responding to text messages sent to their phones. They also claimed that they could not mobilize logistics to convey INEC staff stationed outside Benin City, to the court. The other excuse was that some other working ad hoc staff could not be taken off their jobs at short notice. Well, they have got the three days they requested for, to try their luck again at mobilizing their witnesses. It is hoped that in these three days they would be able to build confidence in their witnesses who are expected to come and tell their tales while being interrogated by the petitioners’ counsel.
On the other hand, INEC could just save everyone the time by closing their case with a no witness submission. Edo people are already eager for the resolution of this all important trial.
Moreover, you cannot force anyone to come and testify under oath and public scrutiny, especially if the person does not want to lie or be seen as lying.
At any rate, given the preponderance of incongruity discovered in the documentary evidences before the court, INEC in their deposition, did admit that its officials committed what they termed “honest mistakes”. It may however not be easy for witnesses to prove the honesty in their critical mistakes, which may have caused a man the mandate of Edo people, and in his stead enthroned an unwanted steward. Anyway, it is left to see how justice relates with honest mistake or whether it is provided for in the electoral act? This may just be the delicate point before the Tribunal as it sits to serve the cause of justice without fear or favor.
By now, INEC may have realized that there is nowhere to hide even if it runs.
Nosa Omorodion is a publisher, political analyst and citizen of Edo State
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