The Bayelsa State Governorship Election suit Tribunal has set April 22 as the deadline for parties to submit their final briefs of argument in the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Timipre Sylva, disputing the outcome of the exercise.
The three-member panel, chaired by Justice Adekunle Adeleye, approved the adoption of addresses after Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the respondents in the case, finished their defence.
Diri and his deputy were prepared to open and close their defence during Thursday’s sitting.
The governor was present to witness the day’s procedures, and his witness presented both the official election results and the final announcement of the results.
Under cross examination by counsel for the petitioners, the witness said before the Tribunal that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) performed its duties admirably by holding the election in accordance with the requirements of the 1999 constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act 2022.
The deputy governor also presented a witness who certified that the deputy governor is a legal practitioner with a Call to Bar certificate mentioned on INEC’s form.
The PDP witness told the trial that he was not physically present in the Ogbia and Nembe local government areas on election day, but was there virtually. He further stated that individuals whose names were not listed on the registry did not vote on election day.
Despite the petitioners’ objections, the tribunal entered into evidence a certified copy of the voters register including the witness’s name.
Meanwhile, the tribunal has set April 22 for the adoption of written addresses.