May 10, (THEWILL) – The Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) sitting at the Appeal Court, Abuja, has adjourned the pre-hearing of the petitions filed by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP), against President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
The adjournment was at the instance of the parties, whose legal representatives told the court that there are a number of outstanding applications yet to be filed and that they have unanimously decided to take one week to finalise the filing and exchange the documents.
THEWILL recalls that a 5-member panel of the court led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, had on Monday, directed lawyers representing Obi, the LP, Tinubu, APC and the INEC to meet and harmonise their documents.
The documents include motions, which they intend to tender before the court.
While considering the request for adjournment on Wednesday, the court agreed with the position of the lead counsel to the parties, saying it will help fast-track the hearing of the case.
Presiding Justice Tsanani, also directed the parties to draw up the issues for determination ahead of Wednesday’s hearing.
Meanwhile, Obi and his party, the LP, have expressed their support for the request by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to allow live coverage of proceedings of the PEPC.
Counsel to the LP and Obi, Livy Uzuokwu (SAN), made this known on Wednesday, while speaking with newsmen.
Uzoukwu said it has become imperative to have the proceedings covered so that Nigerians will have first-hand information on what goes on at the Court and will clear doubt in the minds of Nigerians.
He said the live broadcast of court proceedings was initiated by colonial masters but jettisoned when Nigeria got its independence.
Uzoukwu said, with the realities on ground, live broadcast of court proceedings has become imperative and that Obi and the Labour Party are in support of the request by Atiku and his party.
“The courtroom cannot conveniently accommodate 200 people and the 200 people cannot adequately represent Nigerians,” he said, adding that if the proceedings are broadcast live, Nigerians will be better informed.
During the hearing of the motion on notice by Atiku and the PDP, the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Obi, will be fully in support, he said.
