Thread by @UkomahM

UPDATES AT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL TODAY TUES. 23RD MAY 2023.

As at 7:30am, people are in court and already seated.

The situation is, people are being asked to go out of the courtroom and submit their phones as phones will not be allowed in.

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Recall I had expressed my fears yesterday that this rule will be implemented... Today, the signs are renewed and even made bold.

People are worried about security, safety of the phones and gadgets and cases of emergency. It's an unpleasant decision.

UPDATE: There is serious resistance by lawyers against the idea of dropping their phones outside the court. I can confirm that at this moment, the draconian rule have not been allowed to be implemented as people are accessing the court with their phones & gadgets.

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Meanwhile, counsels are in court and Peter Obi is here too...

I no dey use iPhone, so I'm not sorry for the poor photo quality. But one for me and I'll be sorry. 😂😂 😂

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Because you asked nicely... Oya take.

Man is looking bright and elegant. A beautiful Tuesday morning.

But I still want iPhone.

While we wait for the proceedings to start today in a short time, fill yourself in with what happened yesterday at the Tribunal below...

We are back from Yesterday... The court has sat and we will now begin.

Stay Glued!

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The Court is begins with the case of PETER OBI/LP AND INEC, TINUBU, SHETTIMA, APC.

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Peter Obi is here, represents himself and Labour Party
Mrs. May Mbu represents 1st Respondent (INEC)
Sanusi Samaila represents 4th Respondent (APC)

LAWYERS WILL NOW ANNOUNCE APPEARANCES

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Livy Uzoukwu SAN is back, leading the Petitioners Legal Team-PO/LP.

Minaya SAN leads the 1st Respondent Legal Team-INEC.

Mike Igbokwe SAN leads the 2nd & 3rd Respondents Legal Team-BAT/SHET.

Adeniyi Akintola SAN leads the 4th Respondents Legal Team-APC.

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UPDATE! UPDATE!! UPDATE!!!

The court is addressing the issue of leaving their phones outside the courtroom. That whatever decision they have taken is in the best interest and they act based on security report which concerns everyone.

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The court added that everyone should understand and appreciate whatever decision they take. As the decision should not cause the emotions it is causing.

"Once instructions are given,every should try to comply" the Lead Justice added.

He further employed the learned Senior...

Counsels to try to enforce it on their juniors.

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From this position of the court, it is expected that the 'No Phones and Gadgets in the Courtroom' will continue to be enforced going forward.

UC Maxwell #LiveFromPEPT

THE COURT HAS PROCEEDED TO NOW ISSUE ITS PRE-HEARING REPORT OF THE CASE OF PETER OBI, LABOUR PARTY V. INEC, TINUBU, SHETTIMA, APC.

The summary of the report is being read by the Lead Justice, Hon. Justice Haruna Tsammani.

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TAKE OUTS FROM THE PRE-HEARING REPORT:

* The court have ruled that Petitions will be consolidated. That of Peter Obi and Atiku. (To be fully confirmed)

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* Hearing shall commence 30th May 2023

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* Petitioners have 3 WEEKS to prove their case begining from 30th May to end on 23rd June.

* 1st Respondents have 5DAYS to prove their case. From 24th June to 29th June.

* 2nd & 3rd Respondents have 5DAYS to prove their case. From 30th June to 5th July.

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* 4th Respondents have 3DAYS to prove their case. From 6th July to 10th July.

* EVIDENCE WILL CLOSE ON 10TH JULY 2023.

FOR WRITTEN ADDRESSES
* Respondents will file Written Address on 21st July, 2023.

* Petitioners will file Written Address on 29th July, 2023.

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* Respondents will file Replies on 4th August, 2023.

* ADOPTION OF WRITTEN ADDRESSES AND REPLIES WILL BE ON 5TH AUGUST, 2023.

* PROCEEDINGS WILL INCLUDE SATURDAYS BUT EXCLUDE SUNDAYS.

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UPDATE!!!

The Court is concerned that the members of the public are not allowed into the court. He cautioned lawyers who are not appearing not to come to court robed and fill up the courts.

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My view... The Justices are probably not aware that security personnel are heavily deployed daily to prevent the public from accessing the courts.

We are not a joke. It's a case for the public.

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BREAKING NEWS!

Counsel to APC notified the court that they took an in house decision that they will never address the press.

And the consequence for anyone who violates it will be expelled.

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Please the above information applies to the APC legal team. They were commenting on issues concerning the press accessing the court & the Counsel to the APC made the revelation in passing.

So all lawyers representing APC can't speak to the press or risk expulsion from the team.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE HEARING REPORT OF APM V. INEC, TINUBU, SHETTIMA, APC, MASARI.

* On Consolidation, The petion of APM will be consolidated and all petitions will be dealt with as One Petition.

* Petitioners shall have 1 DAY to prove their case on 30th May.

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* 1st Respondent shall have 1 DAY to prove their case on 31st May.

* 2nd Respondent shall have 1 DAY to prove their case on 1st June.

* 3rd and 4th Respondent shall have 2 DAYS to prove their case-3rd to 5th June.

* 5th Respondent shall have 1 DAY to prove its case on 6th June

* CLOSING OF EVIDENCE SHALL BE 6TH JUNE.

NOW TO WRITTEN ADDRESSES
* Respondents Written Address on 17th June.

* Petitioners Written Address on 26th June.

* Replies on 1st July

* ADOPTION OF ADDRESS ON 3RD JUNE.

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UPDATE... THE CASE OF ATIKU, PDP V. INEC, TINUBU, APC HAVE NOW BEEN CALLED, APPEARANCES ARE BEING TAKEN AFTER WHICH WE WILL RECEIVE THE PRE-HEARING REPORT.

The report will bring to an end, all Pre-Hearing of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal 2023.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE HEARING REPORT OF ATIKU, PDP V. INEC, TINUBU, APC.

* THE PETITION OF ATIKU IS CONSOLIDATED WITH OTHER PETITIONS AND SHALL BE HEARD AS ONE PETITION SINCE THEY RELATE TO THE SAME ELECTION AND RETURN AND JUSTICE DEMANDS SO.

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* Petitioners have 3 WEEKS for their case from 30th May till 20th June.

* 1st Respondents have 2 DAYS for their case.

* 2nd and 3rd Respondents have 5 DAYS EACH for their case.

* 16TH JULY SHALL BE CLOSE OF EVIDENCE.

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ON WRITTEN ADDRESSES
* Respondents Written Address on 26th July.

* Petitioners Written Address on 2nd August.

* Respondents Replies on 7th August.

* ADOPTION OF ADDRESSES SHALL BE ON 8TH AUGUST.

To this end, the court brought to an end the Pre-Hearing.

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GENERAL TAKEAWAY...

* The court may need to bring time keepers to make sure of strict adherence to timing.

* No Oral Testimonies as counsels will only lead witness to adopt.

* The court allocated the same timing for Witnesses to all parties of the Obi, Atiku and APM Petitions.

* Since all Petitions are consolidated and hearing to commence on 30th May, 2023 for the consolidated Petitions.

* The Witness Timings are as follows

- Expert/Star Witnesses
30mins - Examination in Chief
20mins - Cross-examination
5mins - Re-examination

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- Other Witnesses
10mins - Examination in Chief
5mins - Cross-examination
5mins - Re-examination

Thank you all and special thanks to @lyfatubely @KoladeKayode who make efforts to keep this going.

That's all from me, UC Maxwell, reporting #LiveFromPEPT