Case 15Election petition in Nigeria
Technology counsel to the defence of a winning candidate in an election petition.
Modern election petitions turn on technology: electronic accreditation, result transmission and the evidence drawn from them. Defence counsel needed lawyers who understand both the law and the systems.
- Client
- Counsel to the respondent (confidential)
- Sector
- Elections
- Practice
- Public Law
- Jurisdiction
- Nigeria
The brief
After our client’s candidate won an election, the result was challenged before an election petition tribunal.
We were engaged as technology lawyer consultants to the respondent’s legal team, to examine the technology-related claims in the petition and strengthen the defence.
Our advice
- 01
Pleadings review
Reviewing the petition and the replies, identifying the technology-related allegations and how each was pleaded.
- 02
Arguments
Analysing the petitioner’s arguments on electronic accreditation and result transmission against the electoral framework.
- 03
Electronic evidence
Reviewing the electronic and documentary evidence, including the conditions for admitting computer-generated evidence.
- 04
Defence strategy
Giving input to the defence strategy and helping counsel present technical points clearly to the tribunal.
Outcome
The defence team went before the tribunal with the technology issues mapped, the electronic evidence tested and a clear technical position.