Okori VS Akpabio: INEC's Head of ICT testifies

Assam Assam (2nd from left) with Akwa Ibom State chairman of APC, Dr. Amadu Attai (3rd from left) at the tribunal today

The Hon Justice Goddy Anunihu-led Election Petition Tribunal sitting at the Customary Court, Dutsen Alhaji , Abuja on Monday received as exhibit, the Card Reader Report used for the conduct of the March 28, 2015 Akwa Ibom North West senatorial election.

A copy of the Approved Guidelines for the Conduct of the 2015 General Election was also tendered before the tribunal.
The documents which were admitted without any objection from Counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents and marked exhibit B19 and B20, were tendered by a staff from INEC's ICT Department who was subpoenaed by the tribunal. She explained that exhibit B19, being the Card Reader Report, originated from the data base of the data received from the Smart Card Reader Device used for the Akwa Ibom North West senatorial election.
Explaining the technical information of the document, the INEC staff said the content of the report was the total number of accredited voters and the total number of failed accreditation which must tally with the total number of voters in the said election. The witness said it is only when the fingerprint authentication fails that an incidence form can be issued and filled. Total number of failed accreditation must be reflected in the failed column section of the document, the witness stated.
Attempt by J.O.Ogunjobi, counsel to the 3rd respondent to stop the witness from clarifying the technical details of the tendered document was overruled by the tribunal. Ogunjobi had objected that allowing the witness answer the question posed to her by Assam Assam (SAN), counsel to the petitioner amounted to the petitioner’s counsel cross examining the witness. INEC's counsel, S. N. Mbaezue declined cross examining the subpoenaed INEC staff.
Also testifying against Akpabio was a former chieftain of  PDP and ex-Chairman of PDP chapter chairmen in Akwa Ibom state, Chief Sunny Ibanga who told the tribunal that no election took place in Ikot Ekpene LGA and that no collation of results ever took place in the senatorial district, explaining that the purported results as declared were fabricated. “The result as declared by INEC is not a true reflection of what happened,” he said.
He explained that as senatorial district collation agent, his job was to supervise the collation of results emanating from the polling units, wards and the ten local government areas of the senatorial district, but regretted that nothing of such ever happened, expressing shock and disbelief on the votes allegedly declared for the respective political parties and their candidates that participated in the March 28, 2015 senatorial election.
A total of 11 witnesses have so far testified against Akpabio. The case was adjourned to Tuesday, August 4, 2015 for continuation of trial.