Drama as tribunal chairman prevents witness from swearing by Quran

The chairman of the Ogun State election petition tribunal, Hamidu Kunaza, on Wednesday, stopped a Muslim witness, Akeem Rafiu Aro, from using the Quran for his oath-taking.

Aro had appeared before the tribunal to testify in favour of the petitioner, Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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While in the box, the court official had asked Aro to state his religion and how he would love to take the oath before giving evidence.

A Quran was brought forward the moment Aro said he was a Muslim and would love to swear by the holy book.

However, as the oath was about to be taken, the tribunal Chairman asked the witness, “Where are you coming from?”

The question was asked twice, and when the witness and lawyers in court could not understand the chairman, he turned to the petitioners’ lawyer, Gordy Uche, saying: “I am asking where he is coming from because I understand there are certain things to be done before swearing with the Quran.”

Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said he was not aware of the process that precedes swearing with the Quran, and said that the witness should be allowed to proceed without the holy book.

Kunaza asked that the witness rather affirm instead of taking an oath with the Quran.

The witness thereafter raised his right hand to affirm that his evidence before the tribunal would be the truth, without using the Quran.