Obi, Datti in court as LP first witness tells court about Tinubu’s $460,000 drug forfeiture case in US

Chigozie Ikpo, Abuja

The Labour Party (LP) Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates, Mr Peter Obi and Datti Baba Ahmed were in court Tuesday as the party presented their first witness at the ongoing hearing of their petition at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) Abuja. 

Counsel to the LP, Jubrin Okutepa (SAN) tendered certified true copies of documents in the schedule of documents filed earlier today, which includes documents from INEC and the $460,000 drug forfeiture case against Tinubu 

Okutepa went ahead to present his witness, a legal practitioner, who identified himself as Lawrence Uchechukwu Nnanna Nwakaeti from Ihiala, Anambra State.

Lawrence identified his written address as his evidence as well as documents from the United States District Court on the alleged forfeiture. 

He told the court that Tinubu forfeited the sum of $460,000 in the United States. 

During cross-examination, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, representing Tinubu and Shettima asked him if he had been to the United States of America and he answered in the affirmative.  

“I suggest to you that you read through Exhibit PA5. Will you be surprised in no line in any of these documents, that the second respondent was not fined?” Olanipekun asked 

“Yes, because he was fined, the document speaks for itself” he responded 

The witness however admitted that the judgment was not registered in Nigeria and that there are no Certificates from the US Consul” 

Counsel to APC, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) asked him if he was aware of a formal clearance report dated 4th February 2023 written by the Legal attaché of the United States Embassy. 

Okutepa raised an objection stating that the said document is yet to be tendered in court and cannot be mentioned and documented by the Panel. 

The court overruled his objection stating that it will just be written as a statement and not a fact until it is tendered, hence Lawrence answered in the negative. 

LP lead counsel Livy Uzoukwu reminded the court that they have some subpoenas that await signing by the court so as to serve them on the respondents. 

Justice Haruna Tsammani informed him that the documents are ready for pick-up and adjourned the hearing till 2 pm tomorrow.