Obi Slams Tinubu’s Witness, Bamidele Over Forfeiture Claim

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi in his final written address in response to the final written addresses of the 2nd and 3rd respondents at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja, has stated that Senator Bamidele is not knowledgeable about US laws.

Recall the senator representing Ekiti was the chief witness for both Bola Tinubu (2nd respondent) and Kashim Shettima (3rd respondent) at the PEPC.

The petition, which challenges the eligibility of APC presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Sen. Kasim Shettima, to have won the presidential election, alleges that Senator Bamidele, who testified as a witness for the All Progressives Congress (APC), made a “fictional claim” of having a licence to practice federal law across the United States.

“In defence, the 2nd (Tinubu) and 3rd (Shettima) Respondents relied on RW2(Senator Bamidele Opeyemi). A witness that is already discredited for disowning on oath as part of the document he tendered in evidence. To defend the issue of the disqualification of the 2nd Respondent to have contested the presidential election, the RW2 testified as a purported expert in American law.

“Under cross-examination by the 4 Respondent, he stated That he is “an Attorney in the US” He tendered American Bar Association (New York Bar Membership) card as Exhibit RA28. Under cross-examination on behalf of the Petitioners, he admitted that he did not tender “any licence to Practice Law in the State of New York”.

He claimed that he has “a licence to practice Federal Law across the United States.” With respect, that is a fictional claim,” the statement read.

The statement further added; “The petition further alleges that Senator Bamidele displayed ignorance and embarrassment in his testimony on American law, and contradicted himself on the nature and enforceability of a US court judgment that he relied on to defend Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.

“Under cross-examination on behalf of the Petitioners, the WI stated that: “The American Court relied on American Law Section 981 dealing with civil forfeiture.” This statement is embarrassing and betrays his claim of being knowledgeable in American Law.

“His claim is grossly untrue, ludicrous, and deeply misconceived. He further stated that the USA judgment “is not money judgment. This contradicts the claim in his deposition that the judgment is registrable in Nigeria pursuant to Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act! Only money judgments are registrable in Nigeria.”

The petitioners are seeking the nullification of the election of the APC Presidential candidates on the grounds that they did not meet the constitutional requirements to be declared the winner.

They are also asking the tribunal to declare them as winner of the election, having polled the highest number of lawful votes cast.

(Parallel Facts)

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