From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The Cross River State Election Petition Tribunal has set a new date for counsels to adopt their final written addresses.
The three man-panel headed by headed by Justice M. A. Sambo had fixed today, Monday for adoption of the addresses, but the counsels to Sen. Jarigbe Agom, PDP and INEC had raised some issues concerning service of addresses by counsel to former Governor Ben Ayade.
The tribunal rescheduled the adoption of written addresses to Thursday this week following an appeal by the counsel to the third respondent (PDP), Innocent Ovat, and Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Dr. I. Kanu Agabi, SAN.
Ovat had contended that they received an electronic copy of the petitioner’s address on Saturday night and the hard copy in Sunday evening.
He argued that they are entitled to three days within which to file their reply on points of law and prayed the tribunal to grant them the request.
On his part, counsel to the first respondents, INEC, said they are ready for their adoption but said the petitioners should not set a time limit for the adumbration of their reply.
Also speaking, to the second respondent (Senator Jarigbe) counsel, Dr. I. Kanu Agabi, SAN, said they are ready for their presentation.
Agabi, however, told the court that certain procedures even when accessed can be on grounds of appeal.
He said they want to explore the number of days granted by the law and also use the days granted by the law to reply on the points of law.
Earlier, counsel to the petitioners, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, objected to the extension of time for the adoption of written addresses.
He argued that the addresses does not necessarily require a reply otherwise it will lead to endless replies on points of law and demanded for a two weeks adjournment.
After listening to counsels’ arguments, the tribunal chairman, Justice M. A. Sambo, argued that the tribunal is bound by time and that the adoption of written addresses should now come up on August 24, 2023.
The suit with No. EPT/CR/SEN/02/2023, was instituted by the former Cross River State Ben Ayade challenging the outcome of the recently conducted Cross River North Senatorial elections, praying the court to nullify the election of Senator Jarigbe over alleged irregularities and military interference.