Ogun Tribunal: INEC disowns pink copies of result sheets as alterations appear on its originals

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday disowned pink copies of Forms EC8A tendered as exhibits by Hon. Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied People's Movement (APM) after the commission agreed to have altered and cancelled figures on the certified true copies of the originals. 

Counsel to Akinlade, Isiaka Olagunju, while cross-examining Gov. Dapo Abiodun's witnesses pointed out that there were alterations and cancellations of figures on the original copies of the result sheets, which he noted did not occur on the pink copies earlier issued to the petitioners by INEC. 

The alterations, it was observed, brought about discrepancies in the pink copies and the original copies of the March 9 governorship election results in Ogun State. 

Abiodun's witnesses had during cross-examinations by the petitioner said the pink copies were not the ones they signed, but similar to the ones given to them on the day of the election; this they said, despite identifying their signatures on the exhibits.

When asked where their pink copies were, the witnesses said they did not bring them to court; saying they had given same to their party. 

However, while cross-examining the witnesses, counsel to INEC, O. A. Obilade said the pink copies did not have INEC stamp embossed on them, putting it to the witnesses that they could not be relied on. 

Obilade stressed further that the alterations and cancellations were as a result of errors noted and  corrected at the collation centres as countersigned by INEC officials. Counsels to the All Progressives Congress (APC) also agreed with INEC.

A mild drama ensued when APC counsel, Dr Paul Ananaba SAN,  failed in an attempt to discredit an INEC pink copy of Form EC8A for PU 03 of Ward 03 in Ado-Odo/Otta Local Government, as he and  one Abiodun's witness, Jelili Ajayi,  gave conflicting figures. 

Ananaba during cross-examination,  asked Ajayi to calculate the parties' scores on the Form EC8A and put it to him that it was 288, but the witness said he arrived at 247 after using a calculator.

Efforts by Anababa to repair the damages met brick walls as the witness stood on the 247 he earlier mentioned till the counsel ran out of time. 

Meanwhile, Abiodun, through his counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan SAN, said he had closed his case against the petitioner on Thursday.

Osipitan said the second respondent will no longer call witnesses.

This reporter observed that Abiodun had presented more than 30 witnesses since he opened his case on July 10.

The Justice Yusuf Halilu-led tribunal had adjourned till Tuesday July 23 when APC will open its case as the third respondent agreed to forfeit July 19, 20 and 22 out of the 10 days it has to call witnesses.