Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed led other Labour Party big wigs to court in continuation of the Obi vs Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal holding at the Abuja Appeal Court.
All the lead counsels of the parties involved led their respective retinue of legal icons to court.
Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN led the Petitioners’ (PO and LP), Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN led the first Respondent (INEC), Wole Olanipekun, SAN led second and third Respondents (Tinubu and Shettima) and Lateef Fagbemi, SAN led APC.
Olanipekun flagged off the defence with tendering of documents. Uzoukwu did not object to Certified True Copies of documents as all the parties agreed during pre-hearing but objected to all other documents not so designated.
After tendering 18 documents, Olanipekun presented his first, and what turned out as his only witness in person of Sen Michael Opeyemi, the new Senate Leader in the 10th National Assembly.
Having been sworn on oath with the Bible, Olanipekun led him as the Examinar-in-Chief.
Hear him, “I’m a legislator and a lawyer. I hold a BA at the University of Ife, LLB at Uniben, LLM, University of New Hampshire and a BL from Nigerian Law School. I’m licensed as an Attorney and Counsellor at Law in the New York Bar since January 1999. I’m also a fellow at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.”
His deposition was adopted, then Olanipekun led him into emphasizing some chapters of his deposition.
While INEC had no cross-examination, APC led the witness to tender his USA Law practice membership card, which was objected to by the Petitioners. The court however admitted in evidence pending determination of objection during final ruling.
When it finally got to Dr. Uzoukwu’s moment, the man many regard as the cobra of cross-examinations approached the witness with usual calm.
Characteristically, the Petitioners’ lead counsel started with seemingly harmless questions but by the time he was done, the damage was complete.
1). Witness said he didn’t believe in the ECOWAS report they tendered in evidence.
2). Witness confirmed there was a $460,000 forfeiture for narcotics trafficking and money laundering.
3). Witness admitted he hadn’t accessed the IReV because he had no reason to.
4). Witness admitted American Bar Association is a voluntary association – thereby putting the membership cards he submitted into serious question.
Dr. Uzoukwu took what appeared less than half of the time allocated for the witness and said he was done. The cobra had struck again!
The final address will say how badly Dr. Uzoukwu venom permeated the blood system of lairs but if expressions are anything to go by, Tinubu/Shettima counsels definitely did not enjoy any bit of that session.
And as if to express their displeasure, Olanipekun closed their defence without further tendering or witness presentation.
The APC closed their case too without presenting any witness or tendering any document.
The four Respondents together presented only two witnesses. Truly, it’s a safe tactical move. Lying is not easy, especially when you will end up being cross-examined by Dr. Uzoukwu and his team.
The court adjourned indefinitely until final addresses are ready and then a date for presentation and adoption will be communicated to all parties.
Keep following as all the final addresses will be ready in 10 days’ time.
This is POEM.
