The cross-examination of Akwa Ibom YPP governorship candidate, Senator Bassey Albert, OBA earlier adjourned to Wednesday could not go on at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Uyo.
This is due to the absence of the petitioners, Senator Bassey Albert and his party YPP, who are challenging the election of Pastor Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Their lawyers, Ahmed Raji, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Mr. Tunde Falola were not also in Court to close their case after the last witness, Senator Bassey Albert had testified on Tuesday, calling a total of seven other witnesses.
Election Petition Tribunal
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the three-member Tribunal, headed by Justice Adekunle Adeleye informed the respondents of a letter by the petitioners seeking the relocation of the Court from Uyo on grounds of insecurity.
Counsel to Governor Umo Eno, Paul Usoro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria said there was no need to relocate the Tribunal as there was no threat to life nor any report of violence from the inaugural sitting of the Tribunal.
He said it was in the same Tribunal that all the petitioners’ witnesses testified without any complaint and was time for the respondents to cross-examine the star witness, Senator Bassey Albert, which he said will not take more than two hours.
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The learned silk also noted that the presence of YPP supporters and loyalists of the governorship candidate in the Court during Wednesday’s sitting was a strong indication that the Tribunal was safe and secure for both parties.
Also speaking, Counsel to INEC, Mr. Offiong Offiong, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, described the location of the Tribunal as the safest, sharing the same premises with the State High Court, near Police Area Command Headquarters, Governor’s Office, Chief Judge’s Residence and Traditional Rulers Council Chambers.
After hearing the submissions of the respondent’s counsel, the Tribunal ordered hearing notice be served on the petitioners and their lawyers at both their offices in Uyo and Abuja with proof of service to be produced by the Court’s officials.
the matter has been adjourned to Wednesday, 5th July 2023 for the continuation of the hearing.
