Atiku’s Team Accuses INEC of Blocking Access to Documents Despite Paying N6m

The legal team representing Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claims that despite the payment of N6 million, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied them access to electoral documents. This alleged denial raises concerns regarding transparency and access to crucial evidence in the electoral process.

In their effort to contest President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the previous election, the legal team is actively pursuing the documents as exhibits to be presented before the presidential election petition tribunal. The objective behind obtaining these documents is to provide substantial evidence that supports their case and challenges the outcome of the election.

During the proceedings on Tuesday, Eyitayo Jegede, the lead counsel representing Abubakar, expressed his frustration to the five-man tribunal, highlighting that the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide the requested documents is impeding the progress of the PDP candidate’s case.

Jegede aimed to present results from 10 out of the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kogi state as evidence to substantiate the case of the former vice-president against Bola Tinubu.

The sought-after results to be tendered belonged to the following Local Government Areas (LGAs): Ankpa, Dekina, Idah, Ofu, Olamaboro, Yagba East, Yagba West, Kabba-Bunu, and Igalamela Odolu.

According to Jegede, the legal team had to resort to issuing a subpoena to compel INEC officials to furnish the necessary documents before the tribunal.

Nonetheless, Haruna Tsammani, the tribunal’s chairman, expressed concerns regarding the process of marking and numbering the documents as exhibits. He emphasized that presenting such sensitive documents piecemeal would be insensitive and pose challenges for the court.

Jegede requested an adjournment of the case to allow his team sufficient time to obtain the required documents from INEC. 

Abubakar Mahmoud, representing the commission, did not raise objections to Jegede’s request for an adjournment.

Furthermore, Wole Olanipekun, the lawyer representing Tinubu, and Lateef Fagbemi, the counsel for the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not raise any objections to the request for adjournment of the case. 

As a result, Tsammani, the tribunal’s chairman, proceeded to adjourn the case until June 7.

Back Story

Bola Tinubu, who ran as the APC’s candidate, was declared the victor of the February 25 election with a total of 8,794,726 votes.

Abubakar, along with Peter Obi, the flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), is challenging the outcome of the election.