OSBC Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned further proceedings on the joint petition the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, filed to challenge the outcome of the 2023 presidential election.
The Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel adjourned the petition till May 18 for the continuation of the pre-hearing session.
Counsel for the petitioners, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, had informed the court that the parties met and agreed on modalities to be adopted with a view to ensuring a seamless progression of the pre-hearing session.
“My lords, counsel for the respective parties have met and put heads together to harmonize and streamline the vital areas and components of the pre-hearing process.
“The first item resolved by the various counsel are documents and we agreed to set up a team together to look at the documents and agree on them in order to eliminate objections while tendering them from the Bar during the hearing.
“We intend to complete that between Monday and Tuesday next week and then prepare a schedule of documents to facilitate the hearing.
Counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Mr. A. B. Mahmood, SAN, that of the President-elect, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, and that of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Charles Edosomwon, SAN, confirmed the report by counsel for the petitioners.
On the application for live coverage of proceedings of the court, the Respondents said they would file their responses before Monday.
While adjourning the matter, Justice Tsammani commended the parties for their cooperation and agreement, saying it would assist in quick conclusion of the pre-hearing session.
