On Saturday, the Enugu State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal denied the Labour Party’s request for an interrogatory against Governor Peter Mbah.
Barr Chijioke Edeoga of LP filed the application for interrogation of Mbah, the second defendant in the petition he filed before the Tribunal.
The application was made when the case was last heard on Thursday, June 22, and it was adjourned until June 24 for a judgement.
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The three-member panel, led by Justice K. M. Akano, denied Edeoga’s application in its ruling today, Saturday.
The Tribunal determined that the information sought by the LP might be gained through cross examination or through the petitioners during evidence.
According to news sources, the Tribunal ordered the petitioners 7 days to show their case in the pre-hearing report, while the first respondent, INEC, has 2 days to call its witnesses. The second and third respondents were each given four days.
Barr Ifeanyi Ogenyi, one of the LP’s senior counsels, told journalists after the Tribunal’s session that the party is ready to submit its witnesses.
“The petition came up today for ruling and issuance of the pre-hearing report.
“The ruling was in respect of application for interrogatories brought by the petitioners, seeking for some answers from the 2nd respondent, Peter Mbah, that he should answer some questions regarding when he was appointed as Chief of Staff, when he was appointed commissioner for finance in Enugu State, when he was called to the NIgerian Bar and the institutions he attended, based on his replies to the petition.
“But the court in its considered ruling this morning, stated that those questions can be elicited during cross examination or through the petitioner during evidence; therefore, the application for interrogatory was refused by the court.
“Then, the report of the tribunal on the pre-hearing session was delivered today, which has brought the pre-hearing session to a close.
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“In their report, they outlined issues the parties raised, both the petitioners and the respondents.”
The Tribunal adjourned the case to July 7 for trial.
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