HDP Seeks Amendment Of Existing Witness Statement On Oath

The Hope Democratic Party (HDP) has filed a fresh application to be allowed to amend the already existing witness statement on oath because according to the party, there are clerical errors on the statement of the witness.

Meanwhile, the respondents which include President Muhammadu Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) all asked for seven days to respond to the application which they all say they intend to oppose.

In a bench ruling, however, the tribunal gave the respondents three days to respond to the application, while counsel to the HDP Mr Chukwunoyerem Njoku has two days to respond to their response if he wants to.

The parties in the suit also agreed on the structure of the hearing of the main petition filed by the HDP and it’s presidential candidate Mr Ambrose Oworu.

While the party asked for two days to call two witnesses, the lawyer to President Buhari, Mr Alex Iziyon asked for seven days to call two witnesses and other subpoenaed witnesses.

Counsel to INEC Mr Yunus Usman asked for two days to call one witness, while the counsel to the APC asked for two days to call two witnesses and other subpoenaed witnesses.

The pre-trial hearing was then adjourned to July 10 to hear the application filed by the HDP and another application by INEC seeking to dismiss the petition filed by the HDP for being incompetent, meaningless, frivolous and an Abuse of court process.