In a surprising turn of events today, at the Court of Appeal where the Presidential Election Petitions Court convened, there was a dramatic interruption during the delivery of judgments. Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel for the All Progressives Congress (APC), found himself shut down by the justices.
The day began with the Tribunal resuming its proceedings promptly at 9am, and from then on, the justices embarked on a marathon session of delivering verdicts. However, as the clock approached 5pm, and after enduring eight hours of judgment delivery, the fatigue became apparent.
Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, representing the APC, finally requested the court to expedite its proceedings and make a swift decision regarding the petitions filed by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against the victory of President Bola Tinubu of the APC. This unexpected interruption added a new dimension to the ongoing legal proceedings.
“I have listened to your Lordship’s eloquent judgement,” Uwensuyi-Edosomwan interjected.
Clearly upset by the intrusion, one of the Justices said; “You don’t have to interrupt judgment, we are delivering judgment and we are still on,” one of the justices shut down the senior lawyer. “You don’t have to suggest to us how to deliver judgment.”
“You don’t have to suggest to us how to deliver judgment. So, you seriously think that all five of us wouldn’t know that?” one of the justices queried.
Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, who later issued an apology, promptly resumed his seat as the judgment proceedings continued.