The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) on Thursday adjourned further pre-hearing of the petition by Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to May 18. Alhaji Abubakar and the PDP are seeking cancellation of the February 25, presidential election, claiming it was marred by widespread electoral irregularities, and conducted in substantial non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.

For the first time since the pre-hearing session started ,Alhaji Abubakar was personally in court, and was accompanied by PDP officials and his political associates. He entered the venue at about 8:55AM in the company of Acting National Chairman of PDP Ambassador Umaru Illiya Damagun, former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, former Adamawa state Governors Boni Haruna and Jubrilla Bindow, Kogi state PDP governorship candidate Dino Melaye, former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, former Niger state Governor Babangida Aliyu among others.

Before commencement of proceeding, Chief Chris Uche SAN announced appearance for the Atiku and PDP, as parties in the petition marked CA/PEPC/05/2023.

Mr. Abubakar Mahmud SAN represented the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) (1st respondent), Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN appeared for the 2nd respondent,(Senator Bola Tinubu), while Chief Charles Adesanya SAN was counsel for the 3rd respondent (APC).

Chief Uche said the day’s sitting was for continuation of pre hearing session.

His words: “We are happy to report that for a seamless progression of the pre – hearing session, counsel for various parties in the petition met, agreed, harmonised and streamlined the vital areas or components of the pre hearing conference.

“The first item resolved by the various counsel in the petition is the issue of documents, wherein we agreed and set up a team together to look at the documents”, Chief Uche reported.

He said they (counsels) agreed on the documents in order to eliminate objections while tendering from the bar and during hearing.

“We intend to conclude on Tuesday, he said adding that the second item discussed and agreed upon, were issues for trial.
For the petitioners, we have filed on May 11, and served on all the parties subject to any modification by the PEPC.
Lastly, with respect to motions pending before the PEPC, we have one motion, that’s the one seeking for live broadcast of PEPC filed on the 7th of May 2023, and we are yet to receive the responses from the respondents.

“All together, we have been served with four motions, two from the 1st and another two from the 3rd respondent. We are preparing our response” Chief Uche said.

The INEC’s counsel, Mr. Mahmoud confirmed the report by Chief Uche and confirmed receiving issues for determination just as he promised to file his issues for determination before the end of Thursday. He admitted receiving the application for live broadcast, saying he will be filing reply, stressing that counsels agreed that all application be fixed for Thursday. “We have applications seeking the PEPC to strike out some portions of the pleadings by the petitioners”, Mr. Mahmoud said.

Responding on behalf of the second respondent, Chief Olanipekun also confirmed the report of Chief Uche that they all met and agreed on the conduct of hearing. “We have assured the petitioners that before Monday, we will serve them with two applications.

On the application for live broadcast of the PEPC, Chief Olanipekun said they will reply accordingly.

Similarly, the APC counsel also confirmed the report by Chief Uche that they all agreed on sorting out documents to ensure a seamless pre hearing session.

The APC lawyer told the court that he filed issues for determination on May 10, stressing that what has been served on the petitioner by the 3rd respondent are motions seeking dismissal, striking out and removal of some pleadings by the petitioners.

On the motion for live telecast of PEPC sittings, he assured of sending in his reply on Monday.

After taking submissions of counsel, Chairman of PEPC, Justice Haruna Tsammani, thanked the parties for what they have done to so far to expedite hearing of the petition.

He then adjourned to May 18 for continuation of pre hearing session.