Oyinlola's witness contradict own deposition as signature crisis hit defenc

Witnesses of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola including a former Minister for Water Resources, Chief Bashir Isola Awotorebo and Prince Biodun Sijuwade, a cousin of the Ooni of Ife, Oba okunade Sijuwade shocked the Governorship Election Petition Retrial Tribunal on Tuesday with contradictions in their testimonies and those written in their sworn depositions. The former Minister claimed to be a Muslim and prominent politician in Osun State and Nigeria affirmed that he knew the Chief Imam of Ile-Ife, Alhaji Idris Opeloye but denied knowing the Ekerin Imam, who is the father of Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, the Chairmanship Candiate ofteh Action Congress (AC) in Ife East Local Government where they both hailed from. Lawal had come before the Tribunal last year to testify that Awotorebo and Lambe Oyasope led thugs bearing dangerous weapons to disrupt the poll on April 14, 2007. Also on Tuesday, another witness, Alfa Saka Dada who served as the agent of the PDP in Isale Obanla, Otan-Ayegbaju in Boluwaduro Local Government contradicted himself when he was shown his written deposition that he swore to on June 8, 2007 before the Tribunal. Under cross-examination by Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the witness was made to append his signature thrice on a blank piece of paper and was found to be different from the one he signed on Form EC8A for the polling unit where he served as PDP agent. When Akeredolu tendered the signatures as Exhibit and applied to the Tribunal that the panel should, in compliance with section 108, sub-section 2 of the Evidence Act, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), the leading counsel to Governor Oyinlola objected but was overruled by the Tribunal. Dada also contradicted his written deposition and affirmed that his lawyers who prepared the document were lying by stating that he served in polling unit 3. Awotorebo who remembered the name of the PDP councillorship candidate for his Okerewe Ward and the name of the Chairmanship candidate went ahead to deny knowing the Chairmanship Candiate of the Action Congress (AC) in Ife East Local Government of Osun State, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal who came to give evidence against him that he led thugs along with Chief Lambe Oyasope and others to disrupt the April 14, 2007 poll. Tajudeen Lawal is the son of the Ekerin Imam of Ile-Ife. As at the time of filling this report, Prince Biodun, a cousin of Oba Sijuwade was still in the witness box giving evidence for Governor Oyinlola. The Ife Prince who claimed that he had never contested any election in his life later confirmed to the Tribunal that he was the Chairman of the Association of Forcefully Ejected Teachers (AFETS) in Osun State. He confirmed that he did not like Chief Adebisis Akande, the former Governor of Osun State as he was one of the teachers who were forcefully retired by his administration. “How can I like anybody that takes my job from me?”, the witness queried while being cross-examined by Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), leading counsel for Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, the Governorship Candiate of the AC during the last general election. His cross-examination went on like this: RW17: My name is Prince Ebenezer Abiodun Sijuade, I live in 55 Ajamaku Street Ile Ife. I was a teacher before, I am retired and a politician now. On the 8th June 2007, I made a deposition. I adopt is at my evidence before this tribunal DFJ: Did you vote? RW17: Yes, I went to the polling unit alone. I was attended to by INEC officials. I was not compelled to vote for any person. I voted for the candidate of my choice. No body harassed INEC officials on duty to the best of my knowledge when I was there. No ballot boxes were snatched in my presence. I did not see any thugs in my unit disrupting the elections. After casting my vote, I went home. I can say the elections where free fair and devoid of disruption. The unit is directly in front of my house AG: Where police officers present doing their work? RW17: As at the time I got there and left, they were doing their normal duties. Because of the presence of the police officers, there was no disruption, and after I left there was no disruption RA: In what unit and ward did you vote? RW17: Agidi Compound Okerewe 2 RA: Is the Unit you mentioned on Ajamopo Street? RW17: Yes RA: How many polling units are on that street? RW17: I don't know, I only know that one is in front of my house RA: Have you ever contested any election? RW17: Never RA: Do you know Chief Bisi Akande? RW17: Yes I do. I READ IN THE PAPERS HE IS THE Chairmen of AC RA: When he was Governor, he forcefully retired you as a teacher? RW17: Yes RA: You don't like him for what he did? RW17: I don't like him for what he did? RA: You became president of those affected by the exercise? RW17: I was chairman of the pressure group under NUT RA: You are presently a special adviser to the Governor? RW17: No, I was at a time Executive assistant to the 1st Respondent in this petition RA: You can't but be here to give evidence? RW17: Yes RA: You also had good reason to disrupt the election in front of your house? RW17: I fear God, im a Christian. I am only a follower in the party, not a leader RA: Would I be right to say that only leaders of your party use thugs? RW17: All the leaders in my party are God fearing people RA: All PDP members are God fearing? RW17: Yes RA: Do you belong in Agidi 1 or Agidi 2? RW17: I don't know

This was how Awotorebo's cross-examination went: BA: I call Honourable Bashiru Ishola Awotorebo 668-669 RW15: My name is Bashiru Ishola Awotrebo, I live at 9 Awotorebo road, ile ife. I am a farmer. On the 8th June 2007, I deposed to a statement before the registry of this tribunal. I wish to adopt this statement AS MY EVIDENCE BEFORE THIS TRIBUNAL DFJ: You were once a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? RW15: Yes I was, I voted on the day of the elections, I was attended to by INEC officials. On the day of elections, while I was there the voting exercise was peaceful free and fair. I did not harass nor was I harassed by anybody. Upon voting, I went back to my family house. I do not know any Tajudeen Lawal. Paragraph 5 of Tajudeen Lawals statement is false. Attorney-General: Were there security agents on ground RW15: Yes there were to ensure orderliness, during the period of voting elections were peacefull as I said in paragraph 8. In paragraph 9 I stated I was not involved in acts of thuggery, I confirm that statement. At the time I left the unit, the police officers were still there RA: You are a member of the PDP? RW15: Yes, in Ife I am a prominent member of the party, and a leader in Osun state RA: Have you ever heard of Rauf Aregbesola? RW15: Yes RA: You are aware that he was a candidate at the 2007 elections? RW15: Yes RA: As a prominent politician, you know people who contest elections? RW15: Yes, I am aware he ran under the platform of the AC RA: Are you aware of the fact that there was a Local Government election in December 2007? RW15: Yes RA: Who contested for PDP in Ife East as counselor in your ward RW15: Niyi RA: Do you know who ran for AC? RW15: No RA: Who ran for PDP as chairman of the LG? RW15: Gbenga Owolabi, I don't know who ran for AC against him RA: what ward are you from? RW15: Okerewe ward 2 RA: Do you know Tajudeen Lawal contested for the chairmanship in your ward? RW15: No RA: Do you know Tajudeen Lawal ran for elections under AD? RW15; No RA: Do you remember when you left your house to vote? RW15: I left around 9; I did not look at the time to know when I returned home. I have no idea how long it took me to vote. I cannot say if it was more than 5 minutes, but it was not up to 10. RA: Do you know the imam of ife? RW15: Yes RA: Do you know the Ekerin Imam of Ife? RW15: No RA: The Ekerin Imam of Ife is Tajudeen Lawal's father. I put it to you that you led thugs on the 14th April 2007, to scare away voters and snatched ballot boxes, and thumb printed them? RW15: That is false RA: Do you know Lambe Oyasope? RW15: Yes RA: What compound are you from? RW15: Akogun Ijiore family RA: What is your family name? RW15: Awotorebo RA: You said you left for your house immediately you voted? RW15: Yes, the election had not ended as at the time I was leaving. I would not know what happened after I left for my house RA: Were you there when the results were announced? RW15: No RA: How many ballot papers did you thumb print on that day? RW15: Only 2, 1 for the house and 1 for the guber. RA: How many did Lambe Oyasope? RW15: I don't know, we are not in the same unit. It was after this that Alfa Saka Dada took the witness box and he had the following to say: BA: The next witness is Alpha Saka Dada 436-437 RW16: My name is Alpha Sake Dada; I live at in Isake Obala. I am a farmer. On the 8th June 2007, you came to depose to atatement before this tribunal. If I see the statement, I can identify it as mine. I adopt this statement as my evidence before this tribunal DFJ: In which unit did you act as party agent RW16: Isale Obala unit 2. In paragraph 1 of my deposition, I stated I was party agent in unit 3, but I was a party agent at Unit 2. Aliyu Olayemi the AC party agent was also there with me. The 2 of us signed on that day. DFJ: Look at Exhibit 175(2), is that the document you both signed RW16: Yes. It is for unit 2. The AC won in that unit. I voted on that day. I was attended to INEC officials in unit 2, the same unit where I acted as agent. That is the same unit the AC agent voted. I was there throughout the duration of the elections as a party agent, along with Aliyu Olayemi. INEC officials were with us throughout the duration of the election. The INEC officials attended to all the electorate as they came. In the course of my work as party agent, I was not harassed. I was there with Aliyu Olayemi throughout, and he was not harassed by anybody. No voter was harassed in my unit; everything went on smoothly, peacefully and orderly DFJ: Why do you state in your statement that you were agent in unit 3, whereas you have said here you worked as Agent in Unit 2 RW16: I worked as party agent in Unit 2 DFJ: Would I be correct to say that Unit 3 stated in the deposition was a clerical error RW16: Yes it was AG: You said AC won in the polling unit you acted as agent RW16: Yes, voting went on peacefully like I said in my paragraph 5. I confirm that police officers were present to maintain peace. I confirm I voted and acted as Agent in Unit 2 and not Unit 3

Oyinlola's witness contradict own deposition as signature crisis hit defence Witnesses of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola including a former Minister for Water Resources, Chief Bashir Isola Awotorebo and Prince Biodun Sijuwade, a cousin of the Ooni of Ife, Oba okunade Sijuwade shocked the Governorship Election Petition Retrial Tribunal on Tuesday with contradictions in their testimonies and those written in their sworn depositions. The former Minister claimed to be a Muslim and prominent politician in Osun State and Nigeria affirmed that he knew the Chief Imam of Ile-Ife, Alhaji Idris Opeloye but denied knowing the Ekerin Imam, who is the father of Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, the Chairmanship Candiate ofteh Action Congress (AC) in Ife East Local Government where they both hailed from. Lawal had come before the Tribunal last year to testify that Awotorebo and Lambe Oyasope led thugs bearing dangerous weapons to disrupt the poll on April 14, 2007. Also on Tuesday, another witness, Alfa Saka Dada who served as the agent of the PDP in Isale Obanla, Otan-Ayegbaju in Boluwaduro Local Government contradicted himself when he was shown his written deposition that he swore to on June 8, 2007 before the Tribunal. Under cross-examination by Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the witness was made to append his signature thrice on a blank piece of paper and was found to be different from the one he signed on Form EC8A for the polling unit where he served as PDP agent. When Akeredolu tendered the signatures as Exhibit and applied to the Tribunal that the panel should, in compliance with section 108, sub-section 2 of the Evidence Act, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), the leading counsel to Governor Oyinlola objected but was overruled by the Tribunal. Dada also contradicted his written deposition and affirmed that his lawyers who prepared the document were lying by stating that he served in polling unit 3. Awotorebo who remembered the name of the PDP councillorship candidate for his Okerewe Ward and the name of the Chairmanship candidate went ahead to deny knowing the Chairmanship Candiate of the Action Congress (AC) in Ife East Local Government of Osun State, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal who came to give evidence against him that he led thugs along with Chief Lambe Oyasope and others to disrupt the April 14, 2007 poll. Tajudeen Lawal is the son of the Ekerin Imam of Ile-Ife. As at the time of filling this report, Prince Biodun, a cousin of Oba Sijuwade was still in the witness box giving evidence for Governor Oyinlola. The Ife Prince who claimed that he had never contested any election in his life later confirmed to the Tribunal that he was the Chairman of the Association of Forcefully Ejected Teachers (AFETS) in Osun State. He confirmed that he did not like Chief Adebisis Akande, the former Governor of Osun State as he was one of the teachers who were forcefully retired by his administration. “How can I like anybody that takes my job from me?”, the witness queried while being cross-examined by Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), leading counsel for Engineer Rauf Aregbesola, the Governorship Candiate of the AC during the last general election. His cross-examination went on like this: RW17: My name is Prince Ebenezer Abiodun Sijuade, I live in 55 Ajamaku Street Ile Ife. I was a teacher before, I am retired and a politician now. On the 8th June 2007, I made a deposition. I adopt is at my evidence before this tribunal DFJ: Did you vote? RW17: Yes, I went to the polling unit alone. I was attended to by INEC officials. I was not compelled to vote for any person. I voted for the candidate of my choice. No body harassed INEC officials on duty to the best of my knowledge when I was there. No ballot boxes were snatched in my presence. I did not see any thugs in my unit disrupting the elections. After casting my vote, I went home. I can say the elections where free fair and devoid of disruption. The unit is directly in front of my house AG: Where police officers present doing their work? RW17: As at the time I got there and left, they were doing their normal duties. Because of the presence of the police officers, there was no disruption, and after I left there was no disruption RA: In what unit and ward did you vote? RW17: Agidi Compound Okerewe 2 RA: Is the Unit you mentioned on Ajamopo Street? RW17: Yes RA: How many polling units are on that street? RW17: I don't know, I only know that one is in front of my house RA: Have you ever contested any election? RW17: Never RA: Do you know Chief Bisi Akande? RW17: Yes I do. I READ IN THE PAPERS HE IS THE Chairmen of AC RA: When he was Governor, he forcefully retired you as a teacher? RW17: Yes RA: You don't like him for what he did? RW17: I don't like him for what he did? RA: You became president of those affected by the exercise? RW17: I was chairman of the pressure group under NUT RA: You are presently a special adviser to the Governor? RW17: No, I was at a time Executive assistant to the 1st Respondent in this petition RA: You can't but be here to give evidence? RW17: Yes RA: You also had good reason to disrupt the election in front of your house? RW17: I fear God, im a Christian. I am only a follower in the party, not a leader RA: Would I be right to say that only leaders of your party use thugs? RW17: All the leaders in my party are God fearing people RA: All PDP members are God fearing? RW17: Yes RA: Do you belong in Agidi 1 or Agidi 2? RW17: I don't know

This was how Awotorebo's cross-examination went: BA: I call Honourable Bashiru Ishola Awotorebo 668-669 RW15: My name is Bashiru Ishola Awotrebo, I live at 9 Awotorebo road, ile ife. I am a farmer. On the 8th June 2007, I deposed to a statement before the registry of this tribunal. I wish to adopt this statement AS MY EVIDENCE BEFORE THIS TRIBUNAL DFJ: You were once a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? RW15: Yes I was, I voted on the day of the elections, I was attended to by INEC officials. On the day of elections, while I was there the voting exercise was peaceful free and fair. I did not harass nor was I harassed by anybody. Upon voting, I went back to my family house. I do not know any Tajudeen Lawal. Paragraph 5 of Tajudeen Lawals statement is false. Attorney-General: Were there security agents on ground RW15: Yes there were to ensure orderliness, during the period of voting elections were peacefull as I said in paragraph 8. In paragraph 9 I stated I was not involved in acts of thuggery, I confirm that statement. At the time I left the unit, the police officers were still there RA: You are a member of the PDP? RW15: Yes, in Ife I am a prominent member of the party, and a leader in Osun state RA: Have you ever heard of Rauf Aregbesola? RW15: Yes RA: You are aware that he was a candidate at the 2007 elections? RW15: Yes RA: As a prominent politician, you know people who contest elections? RW15: Yes, I am aware he ran under the platform of the AC RA: Are you aware of the fact that there was a Local Government election in December 2007? RW15: Yes RA: Who contested for PDP in Ife East as counselor in your ward RW15: Niyi RA: Do you know who ran for AC? RW15: No RA: Who ran for PDP as chairman of the LG? RW15: Gbenga Owolabi, I don't know who ran for AC against him RA: what ward are you from? RW15: Okerewe ward 2 RA: Do you know Tajudeen Lawal contested for the chairmanship in your ward? RW15: No RA: Do you know Tajudeen Lawal ran for elections under AD? RW15; No RA: Do you remember when you left your house to vote? RW15: I left around 9; I did not look at the time to know when I returned home. I have no idea how long it took me to vote. I cannot say if it was more than 5 minutes, but it was not up to 10. RA: Do you know the imam of ife? RW15: Yes RA: Do you know the Ekerin Imam of Ife? RW15: No RA: The Ekerin Imam of Ife is Tajudeen Lawal's father. I put it to you that you led thugs on the 14th April 2007, to scare away voters and snatched ballot boxes, and thumb printed them? RW15: That is false RA: Do you know Lambe Oyasope? RW15: Yes RA: What compound are you from? RW15: Akogun Ijiore family RA: What is your family name? RW15: Awotorebo RA: You said you left for your house immediately you voted? RW15: Yes, the election had not ended as at the time I was leaving. I would not know what happened after I left for my house RA: Were you there when the results were announced? RW15: No RA: How many ballot papers did you thumb print on that day? RW15: Only 2, 1 for the house and 1 for the guber. RA: How many did Lambe Oyasope? RW15: I don't know, we are not in the same unit. It was after this that Alfa Saka Dada took the witness box and he had the following to say: BA: The next witness is Alpha Saka Dada 436-437 RW16: My name is Alpha Sake Dada; I live at in Isake Obala. I am a farmer. On the 8th June 2007, you came to depose to atatement before this tribunal. If I see the statement, I can identify it as mine. I adopt this statement as my evidence before this tribunal DFJ: In which unit did you act as party agent RW16: Isale Obala unit 2. In paragraph 1 of my deposition, I stated I was party agent in unit 3, but I was a party agent at Unit 2. Aliyu Olayemi the AC party agent was also there with me. The 2 of us signed on that day. DFJ: Look at Exhibit 175(2), is that the document you both signed RW16: Yes. It is for unit 2. The AC won in that unit. I voted on that day. I was attended to INEC officials in unit 2, the same unit where I acted as agent. That is the same unit the AC agent voted. I was there throughout the duration of the elections as a party agent, along with Aliyu Olayemi. INEC officials were with us throughout the duration of the election. The INEC officials attended to all the electorate as they came. In the course of my work as party agent, I was not harassed. I was there with Aliyu Olayemi throughout, and he was not harassed by anybody. No voter was harassed in my unit; everything went on smoothly, peacefully and orderly DFJ: Why do you state in your statement that you were agent in unit 3, whereas you have said here you worked as Agent in Unit 2 RW16: I worked as party agent in Unit 2 DFJ: Would I be correct to say that Unit 3 stated in the deposition was a clerical error RW16: Yes it was AG: You said AC won in the polling unit you acted as agent RW16: Yes, voting went on peacefully like I said in my paragraph 5. I confirm that police officers were present to maintain peace. I confirm I voted and acted as Agent in Unit 2 and not Unit 3 RA: You deposed to this statement on the 8th June 2007, and you appended your signature to this deposition, and you can repeat your signature here RW16: Yes SIGNS 3 TIMES RA: Is this your signature RW16: Yes RA: I seek to tender this signature SIGNATURE ACCEPTED AS EXHIBIT 463 RA: Look at the signature in your deposition. Do you confirm that the signatures are different RW16: They are the same BA: I object to the last question, even though it has been answered. The witness is not a finger print expert, and is not in a position to comment about the signatures. We rely on the the courts ruling of Friday RA: COURT: OBJECTION OVER RULED RA: Look at Exhibit 175(2), do you confirm that is your signature RW16: I do RA: I urge the court to compare these signatures, calling in aid S. 108(2) EA. RA: You have 2 witness statements before this court RW16: No RA: Is there any other Alpha Sake Dada, who lives in Isale Obala and is a farmer RW16: No RA: On the 8th June 2007, you also deposed to another witness statement in this matter RW16: No RA: If I show you a statement, in which your signature is different, can you identify it RW16: yes RA: Look at pages 150-151 of the report. Everything is the same except the signature RW16: It is my deposition, but not my signature RA: May I apply that the Court compares his signature in pages 436,437 BA: I object to the request that the court compares the signatures. The condition precedent is if the witness admits the signature is his. Before a witness statement can be used by this tribunal, it must be admitted as evidence. RA: The deposition was put before the witness; he admitted the deposition as his. The import of S. 108 is not when you say this signature is mine, it is when you deny the signature. The contents are the same in the 2 depositions. May I refer to Jegede V. Citcon 2001 4 NWLR PART 702 112 @134 PAR A-F BA: Section 108, pre supposes that the statements must be admitted as evidence. In the Jegede case, the signatures were already in evidence. In LAWAL V. EJIBIKE, 1997 2NWLR PART 487 319 @ 330 para b-e. A case in line with Jegede. The Court of Appeal stated that parties must have joined issues on the matter of signature. The document must properly be admitted in evidence COURT: THE ISSUE SHOULD BE LEFT FOR ADDRESS RA: When where you born RW16: 1964 RA: What else do you do apart from being a farmer? RW16: Only farming, I am not a trader. If I am referred to as a trader, that will be a lie. I am from Isale Obaale Ayebaju. Ile Okankan RA: Look at exhibit 405b. is that your name, compound and trade RW16: Trading is written there, but I am a farmer RA: Even when your lawyers write for you, they don't write correctly RW16: They do. I worked in Unit 2 as a party agent. RA: How many agents worked with you at Unit 3? RW16: Myself and the AC agent worked in Unit 3 RA: Did other parties record any votes RW16: The other parties recorded votes at the polling unit, but had no party agents RA: When did voting close in your unit RW16: 3:00 P.M RA: What time did it start RW16: 8:00 AM RA: When did you vote? RW16: I don't know what time, but I voted RA: How long did the process of voting take you RW16: I cannot remember the exact time it took, but on that day, I presented my voters card to the INEC official who took it and confirmed it on the voters register. After which he ticked the voters register before him. My voter's card was then taken and stamped. They returned it to me, and gave me 2 ballot papers. After that I went to vote, and placed it in the ballot box. The presiding officer then marked my hand with ink. After that, I continued with my work as a party agent. I can't say how long this took, because I didn't have a wristwatch RA: You said you saw Hon Badamosi on that day RW16: Yes I did, where I was seating as a party agent, which was not far from the main road. He rode a motorcycle on the main road not by my side. He rode by, he did not report to my polling unit. He had a person on his bike Mr. Steven Dosumu RA: Did you ever leave your unit during the elections RW16: I did not leave my polling unit RA: You would not know what happened in other polling units RW16: No I would not, because I was in unit 2, I wouldn't know what was happening in the other units RA: I put it to you Mr. Sake Dada that the election in your unit on that day was disrupted Rw16: Voting went peacefully in unit 2 BA: Re-state the polling unit you worked as an agent RW16: Unit 2 and not unit 3 BA: My next witness is Prince Biodun Sijuade 660 RW17: My name is Prince Ebenezer Abiodun Sijuade, I live in 55 Ajamaku Street Ile Ife. I was a teacher before, I am retired and a politician now. On the 8th June 2007, I made a deposition. I adopt is at my evidence before this tribunal DFJ: Did you vote RW17: Yes, I went to the polling unit alone. I was attended to by INEC officials. I was not compelled to vote for any person. I voted for the candidate of my choice. No body harassed INEC officials on duty to the best of my knowledge when I was there. No ballot boxes were snatched in my presence. I did not see any thugs in my unit disrupting the elections. After casting my vote, I went home. I can say the elections where free fair and devoid of disruption. The unit is directly in front of my house AG: Where police officers present doing their work RW17: As at the time I got there and left, they were doing their normal duties. Because of the presence of the police officers, there was no disruption, and after I left there was no disruption RA: In what unit and ward did you vote RW17: Agidi Compound Okerewe 2 RA: Is the Unit you mentioned on Ajamoku Street RW17: Yes RA: How many polling units are on that street RW17: I don't know, I only know that one is in front of my house RA: Have you ever contested any election RW17: Never RA: Do you know Chief Bisi Akande RW17: Yes I do. I READ IN THE PAPERS HE IS THE Chairmen of AC RA: When he was Governor, he forcefully retired you as a teacher RW17: Yes RA: You don't like him for what he did RW17: I don't like him for what he did RA: You became president of those affected by the exercise? RW17: I was chairman of the pressure group under NUT RA: You are presently a special adviser to the Governor RW17: No, I was at a time Executive assistant to the 1st Respondent in this petition RA: You cant but be here to give evidence RW17: Yes RA: You also had good reason to disrupt the election in front of your house RW17: I fear God, im a Christian. I am only a follower in the party, not a leader RA: Would I be right to say that only leaders of your party use thugs RW17: All the leaders in my party are God fearing people RA: All PDP members are God fearing RW17: Yes RA: do you belong in Agidi 1 or Agidi 2 RW17: I don't know RA: Look at BA:

I object to the question with regards to the witness examining a document already in evidence before the court. See SALU V. Madam TOWURO EGEIBON 1994 6 NWLR PART 348 PAGE 23 @ 44 PARA B.

This witness is not the maker of the document put before him, the witness is being asked to look at the document. If my learned friend should ask a question about the contents of that document, and if I object at that stage, I do not want the court to say it is too late. I am fortified by the cited Supreme Court authority. The decision is that the person who is not the maker cannot give any oral arguments as to its content. IN THE Salu case, a survey plan was put before the witness to look at; the court said no, that witness is not the maker. I urge the court to overrule the request that this witness examines or answers questions as to the content of exhibit 387b