Tribunal: Another Blow for Udom Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal today upheld the use of witness initials which is to protect the identity of witnesses against harassment, intimidation and even killing.

Lawyer to Udom Emmanuel, Paul Usoro, SAN had strongly


 objected to the calling of the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in the April 11 shambolic election, Bishop Samuel Friday Akpan, as a witness for the Petitioner, Obong Umana Okon Umana, on the ground that what he was used in his Statement on Oath is "BSA" and not his full name.

However, the Tribunal after returning from a break to consider the arguments canvassed by both sides agreed with the Counsel to the Petitioner, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN that the objection lacks merit. The Tribunal stated that the Practice Direction allows for the use of abbreviations to protect witnesses against attacks and that the use of BSA did not constitute a breach on the right of the Respondents to fair hearing.

Meanwhile, Bishop Akpan in his testimony insisted that there was no election in Akwa Ibom State and that he couldn't vote despite waiting at his pooling unit till 5pm on April 11. His original voters card was admitted into evidence by the Tribunal.