INEC warns labour party against blackmail
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded to the claims made by the legal team of the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Peter Obi, regarding the commission’s alleged refusal to respond to subpoenas served on them.
In a petition marked CA/PEC/03/2023, the LP and Peter Obi have contested the outcome of the presidential election, in which Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the elected president by INEC.
During the proceedings, the petitioners had previously stated that INEC denied them access to certain crucial documents that are relevant to their case.
During the hearing on Wednesday, while presenting a motion to adjourn the proceedings, counsel for the petitioners, Livy Uzoukwu SAN, once again complained to the Presidential Election Petition Court that despite their efforts to access the documents through subpoenas, INEC has ‘consistently refused the subpoena to produce documents.”
During the proceedings, Livy Uzoukwu SAN stated that he had brought the issue to the attention of INEC’s lead counsel, A.B Mahmoud, who assured him that the commission would comply with the subpoenas.
However, INEC’s counsel, Kemi Pinhero SAN, who represented the electoral body in Wednesday’s proceedings, expressed dissatisfaction with the statement that implied INEC was uncooperative.
Pinhero countered the assertion, accusing the petitioners of repeatedly blaming INEC for withholding documents. He urged the petitioners to refrain from such accusations and develop a different approach.
He said, “Don’t use INEC as a whipping boy.”
He said he was unaware of any discussion Uzoukwu SAN may have had with their lead counsel, Mahmoud, to warrant the statement.
“It has become a habit for them to look for somebody to whip. I am not privy to any discussion he has had with A.B. Mahmoud.”
“It can’t be true that the receipt or the subpoena were refused.”
“It has become a habit for them to blame INEC or say that INEC has refused to release documents to them.
“It is not correct that the office of the chairman will refuse to respond to the subpoena. The chairman of INEC has no interest whatsoever. It is unfair to INEC.”
“If they have nothing else to do today, they should just say it.”
In response to the reaction, Uzoukwu maintained his stance and informed the court that his claims can easily be verified.
Following the argument between the two parties, the Presidential Election Petition Court headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani advised them to calm their frayed nerves.
The court thereafter adjourned the matter to June 15 for continuation of the hearing.
