Okpebholo’s legal team closes case after key witness falters at Tribunal

A dramatic turn of events unfolded at the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, as Governor Monday Okpebholo’s legal team unexpectedly closed their defence after their first witness provided testimony that undermined their case.

The shocking development, which played out on Monday, February 10, 2025, stunned a packed courtroom and left legal analysts and political observers in disbelief.

The abrupt decision followed a damaging admission by Okpebholo’s key witness, Usman Majek, during intense cross-examination by the legal team representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.

The PDP and Dr. Ighodalo had petitioned the tribunal to challenge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State.

The petition, marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, alleges electoral malpractices, including over-voting, non-serialization of ballot materials, and incorrect computation of results purportedly manipulated in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

The drama at the tribunal began when Majek, a farmer from Ovia South-West Local Government Area— a stronghold of incumbent Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa—took the stand as Okpebholo’s first witness.

During cross-examination, Majek unexpectedly admitted to instances of over-voting in his area, a statement that directly contradicted the APC’s claim that the election was free and fair in that region.

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This unexpected admission sent ripples through the courtroom and appeared to rattle Okpebholo’s legal team, led by senior advocate Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN). Initially set to present six witnesses to counter the allegations of electoral irregularities, the defence abruptly decided to forego further testimony and closed their case immediately after Majek’s testimony.

In reaction to this unexpected turn, APC’s counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), quickly moved for an adjournment, requesting additional time to reassess their defence strategy and prepare their own witnesses to counter the claims brought by the PDP.

This move comes on the heels of INEC’s decision to close its defence earlier without calling any witnesses, despite initially listing several individuals to justify the declaration of Okpebholo as the election winner.

With both INEC and the APC now having prematurely concluded their defences, the tribunal has adjourned proceedings to Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

The next phase of the hearing is expected to be pivotal as the legal teams on both sides prepare for the final arguments.

Observers are now keenly watching how this dramatic turn will shape the outcome of the election petition, as the PDP presses forward in its bid to overturn Okpebholo’s victory.

The unfolding legal battle continues to keep Edo State and the nation at large on edge, with implications that could redefine the state’s political landscape.