INEC withholding documents to frustrate our case – LP

INEC withholding documents to frustrate our case – LP

The Labour Party says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been deliberately frustrating its case against at the presidential election petition tribunal.

The LP and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, are challenging the outcome of February 25 presidential poll that produced Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s president.

Jibrin Okutepa, who is the counsel to the LP and Obi, told the court on Monday that INEC had refused to provide the documents they demanded.

He said, “We are bringing this to your lordships’ notice because we have done everything humanly possible, including letter writing, and persuasion and it seems to us that we need to come before your lordships to come to our aid.”

“This afternoon, we received a few copies of IREV reports for a few LGAs in Lagos State, including Agege, Mushin, Oshodi, Isolo, epe, Surulere, Eti-Osa and Alimosho,” he said.

“Each document was certified on May 29 but they decided to give it to us today.

“The same thing with Gombe. They just gave us the IREV report for just two LGAs. Those ones were also certified on May 29.”

He said INEC also refused to accept service of the subpoenas issued to them

“It appears that INEC is deliberately frustrating us….We have nowhere to cry to except to your lordships,” Okutepa said.

INEC responds

Abubakar Mahmoud, INEC counsel, described Okutepa’s allegations as “unfounded”.

He said he only received one letter from Livy Uzoukwu, petitioner’s lead counsel, on May 15 which he said was promptly replied to on the same day.

Mahmoud said Okutekpa never approached him on the issues.

“There is absolutely no reason to deny LP any documents,” the INEC lawyer said.

But Uzoukwu denied receiving any response to his letter.

Tribunal warns

Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, the only female on the panel, said: “This allegation is becoming a recurring issue.”

“I think you should realise that sentiments, playing to the gallery, blackmail or whatever from anybody will not help in the determination of this case. What will help is cooperating in the interest of this nation,” she said.