……….. As 87 years old Prof Ben Nwabueze addresses the tribunal
Respondents to the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have called for the “suspension” of proceedings of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, on Thursday.
This as a former Minister of Education and Youth Development, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN) made a brief appearance before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.
He subsequently announcing himself as the leader of the petitioners’ legal team.
Prof Nwabueze, who was brought in on a wheelchair, later read a prepared speech before the commencement of proceedings and took his leave about 30 minutes later.
The Senior Advocate, who was allowed to address the tribunal while sitting, said his appearance was to underscore the importance of the case for the nation’s democratic development.
Meanwhile, the tribunal has suspended proceedings to rule on an issue raised by the respondents, to the effect that the petitioners have not properly complied with an earlier order of the court.
Thursday was scheduled for the commencement of trial, when the petitioners challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the February 23 election, were to begin calling their witnesses.
Punch reports that shortly after the petitioners’ lawyer, Dr Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), indicated to the tribunal that he was starting the petitioners’ case with Niger State, Buhari’s counsel, Mike Igbokwe (SAN), rose to call for a halt of the proceedings.
