Once again, let me assure the good people of Edo state and most importantly, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), that nobody would be allowed to truncate democracy in the state – the mandate of Governor Monday Okpebholo will not only be defended, the virtue of democracy will also be protected.
I have scanned through the petition challenging the election of our governor, the reply of our party and the legal giants lined up to finally nail the coffins of the PDP in the state and put them to rest – I have no doubt in their capacity to deliver.
One thing that interests me most is the calibre of the counsel in the team to defend our governor, his mandate and virtue of democracy. Those in the respondents’ team (APC, Okpebholo and INEC) are Onyekachi Ikpeazu, SAN, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, and Kalu Agabi, SAN. These and many more in the team are renowned Nigerian legal luminaries with unmatched contributions to the legal profession and jurisprudence in the country.
Let us briefly take a look at their profile, and see how they would bring their wealth of knowledge, experience and diligence to bear in the defence of the Okpebholo’s popular mandate. The task before this team is a solemn and sober one, which I trust would be executed through the deployment of expertise by the extracting, extricating and excavating of every authority, no matter where they may be hidden in this country, to protect and defend Governor Okpebholo’s mandate.
Onyeachi Ikpeazu is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) known for his expertise in election petitions, constitutional law, and civil litigation. He is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most experienced election petition lawyers who has represented prominent political figures and parties in high-stakes electoral disputes. His deep understanding of election laws will be brought to bear in this case, just as in several landmark cases at election tribunals and appellate courts with his meticulous preparation, clarity in argumentation, and ability to handle tough legal issues.
Another highly respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the team is Emmanuel Ukala, with expertise spanning criminal law, constitutional law, and arbitration. He is one of the celebrated SAN for his strong courtroom presence and sharp legal acumen. He has been involved in numerous high-profile criminal and constitutional cases and his successes have earned him accolades and admiration within the legal community. A man whose admirers respect for his eloquence, deep understanding of legal precedents, and persuasive advocacy.
There is also a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice between 1999-2003, Kanu Agabi, SAN. His specialization is in constitutional law, criminal law and administrative law – a versatile, humble and approachable lawyer full of wisdom.
Agabi is also renowned for his intellectual depth and integrity – the man who introduced transparency into the Nigeria’s judicial system. Seen as a symbol of excellence and ethical practice on the legal profession, Agabi will be among several other senior advocates of Nigeria who will finally nail the coffins of the PDP in the case challenging the will of the people.
One thing about them all is that their reputations precede them – they combine experience, intellectual rigor, and strategic insight in their legal practice. Their presence in this matter shows the seriousness Governor Okpebholo attached to it.
In the final analysis, the judgment of the tribunal will rest heavily on the weight and credibility of evidence presented. These legal giants understand this and there is no doubt that they will deploy their mastery in evidence law, challenging the admissibility of documents, dissecting witness testimonies, and introducing forensic analyses or otherwise, to support their claims. They also will transform evidence into a narrative so compelling that it becomes difficult for the panel to look away. And of course, without any scintilla of doubt, justice will come the way of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State.
