…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
Inibehe Effiong, a legal practitioner and social critic, has called on the public to remain resolute in the face of objections raised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the admissibility of documents in the ongoing hearings at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
Effiong accused INEC of aligning its defence strategy with other respondents, including the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Distraction Tactics Alleged as Court Expected to Act on Certified Documents
Effiong dismissed the objections raised by INEC as a mere distraction, asserting that the court would still consider the documents since they have been duly certified.
Taking to his Twitter account, he stated that people should not panic and emphasized that the documents in question are public documents with proper certification.
INEC’s Neutrality Questioned in Electoral Litigations
The legal expert expressed skepticism about INEC’s neutrality, particularly in electoral litigations.
He argued that as the creator of the certified documents, specifically the Form EC8 series, which includes polling unit and collation results, INEC should not object to their admissibility.
Effiong maintained that INEC’s proclaimed neutrality is illusory in the context of electoral disputes.
Documents Admitted, Grounds for Objections to Be Stated in Final Addresses
Effiong reassured the public that despite the objections raised by the respondents, the documents have already been admitted by the tribunal.
However, he acknowledged that the respondents would be given the opportunity to state their grounds for objection in their final addresses.
The tribunal will carefully consider the documents and take appropriate action based on their admissibility.
Certified Documents Ensure No Cause for Alarm
Effiong concluded by emphasizing that as long as the documents have been properly certified, there is no need for alarm.
He urged the public to maintain confidence in the judicial process and trust that the court will consider the certified documents in its deliberations.