Mr. Chijioke Edeoga, the Labour Party candidate for the governorship position in Enugu State, stated on Friday before the election petition tribunal in Enugu that he intends to present 36 witnesses to testify against Governor Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party. These witnesses will be called upon to support the allegation of certificate forgery made against Governor Mbah.
Governor Mbah, who was declared the winner of the Enugu State governorship election held on March 18 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, is currently facing a case regarding the alleged forgery of his National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate, which he presented to the electoral commission.
Edeoga is urging the tribunal to disqualify Governor Mbah based on the alleged certificate forgery.
During the tribunal’s recent session on Friday, the petitioners, represented by their counsel Mr. M. J. Numa, informed the panel that they plan to call a total of 28 witnesses under their control and an additional eight witnesses who have been subpoenaed.
Numa further explained to the tribunal, led by Justice K. M. Akano, that they anticipate requiring a five-week period to present their witnesses. They have also agreed that the witnesses under their control will require 15 minutes each for cross-examination.
In response, the counsel representing Governor Mbah and the PDP, Mr. Wole Olanikpekun and Mr. Tochukwu Maduka, respectively, dismissed the argument. They cited the resolution of the alleged certificate forgery issue by the FCT High Court, mentioning the existence of a leave of appeal. Additionally, they argued that sections 177 and 182 of the constitution have already settled the matter.