Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, presented and concluded his defense at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday, calling a single witness before closing his case.

During the previous session on Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not present any witnesses to defend the September 21, 2024, election results. The tribunal subsequently adjourned to Monday, February 10, for Okpebholo’s defense.

At the hearing, Okpebholo’s legal representative, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), called Usman Majek, 31, from Usen in Ovia South-West Local Government Area. Under cross-examination by the petitioners’ counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), Majek acknowledged instances of over-voting in his polling unit. He also confirmed that accreditation and voting occurred simultaneously at the unit.

Majek, who served as an All Progressives Congress (APC) polling agent, stated that he had lodged complaints with both INEC and the police regarding discrepancies in the results.

Following Majek’s testimony, Ikpeazu formally closed the defense. With no objections from the petitioners, INEC, or APC representatives, the tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, accepted the request and adjourned proceedings to Wednesday for the APC to present its case.

Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa dismissed the over-voting allegations raised by the opposition, asserting that results from affected areas had already been nullified in accordance with electoral regulations.

Idahosa criticized the opposition for filing petitions without verifying facts, emphasizing that the disputed results were not included in the official electoral records. He accused the opposition of using the tribunal as a media campaign platform rather than focusing on legal arguments, expressing confidence in the judiciary to uphold due process.