Cross River Election Tribunal: Sen. Onor Presents Documents-Witnesses Close Case Against Otu

By Joseph Ndifon

PDP Guber Candidate, Sen. Prof. Sandy O. Onor has closed his case after making presentation of evidence as well as witnesses to support his petition challenging the eligibility of candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) (Sen. Bassey Otu and Hon. Peter Odey) in the just concluded Governorship Elections in the state.

The court hearing resumed at exactly 10:00am and was presided by Hon. Justice Oken Inneh who leads a three-man panel of Honourable Justices that include: Hon. Justice Olalekan Olatawora and Hon. Justice Lawal Umar.

Represented by his counsel, Dr J. Y Musa SAN, Sen. Onor closed his case after making presentation of various documents and witnesses that includes, Olusegun Thompson, a UK-based Immigration expert to substantiate his claims.

Some of the tendered documents includes; Oath Form of Citizenship by Naturalization, The British Nationality Act 1981, Citizenship Oath and Pledge, Registration and Naturalization/Citizenship Ceremony: Oath and Pledge, Citizenship Ceremonies, Declaration Form, Home Office AN Form, Guide AN Naturalization Booklet and The Nationality, Immigration and Assalum Act 2002, etc.

Addressing newsmen at the end of proceedings, lead Counsel to Sen. Onor and the PDP, Dr J. Y. Musa SAN said; "We called two additional witnesses for the petitions and closed the case today. It's essentially on the qualification of the governor and the deputy governor."

When asked if the early closure was a surprise to his opponents, the Learned Silk responded: "It's about strategy. We met and discovered that we should adopt this strategy; it's a faster and better route."

On his part, K. Edun SAN who held brief on behalf of lead Counsel to the 2nd and 3rd Respondents, Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN stated that the respondents have July 17th - 20th, 2023 to call their witnesses in defence of the petition.

When asked if the sudden close of case was an ambushed, the Learned Silk admitted, "Yes. Tribunal had scheduled time for all parties to call their witnesses. The petitioners had about two weeks and the respondents had ten (10) days respectively. But, since they closed their case today, we also need some time to prepare ourselves. That's the reason we applied for adjournment to enable us present our defence to the panel."

The court later adjourned sitting to Monday, July 17th, 2023.