Presidential Election: Uzoukwu, Kalu, Ikpeazu, Other SANs Lead Peter Obi’s Defense Team

Twelve legal practitioners are part of Peter Obi’s legal team challenging President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s win.

In order of seniority, the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, are Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, Chief Awa Kalu, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, P.I.N. Ikwueto, and Chief Ben Anyachebe.

S.T. Hon, Arthur Obi Okafor, Ik Ezechukwu, J.S. Okutepa, Dr. Mrs. Valerie Azinge, Emeka Okpoko, and Alex Ejesieme are among the others.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja will rule on Wednesday’s plea submitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

INEC is attempting to alter the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, or BVAS, which will hold the presidential election on February 25, 2023.

On Tuesday, the Labour Party’s legal team filed a motion to prevent INEC from tampering with evidence in a case before the Presidential Election Tribunal.

The lawyers contended that the data on the BVAS comprises the essence of Obi’s case against INEC’s “illegal manipulation” of the election results and processes on February 25.

They informed the court that their forensic experts had been denied access to INEC systems to assess them before the data transfer.

However, the umpire stated that it would transfer the data on the BVAS to a backup server ahead of the March 11 governorship and state legislative elections.

A three-member Court of Appeal panel led by Judge Joseph Ikyegh is hearing the case.

Last Wednesday, INEC proclaimed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, the winner.

The three main opposition parties, the Labour Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, have all rejected the results.

The LP and PDP demanded the resignation of INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu and the cancellation of the poll on February 28.