The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed an application filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Atiku Abubakar to inspect the server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The petitioners had alleged that INEC used the server in collating the February 23 general elections.
Chairman of the panel, Justice Mohammed Garba, ruled on Monday that granting such application at this interlocutory stage would pre-empt the substantive petition.
Garba said that the court was yet to keep abreast of testimonies of witnesses and documentary evidence from all parties in the matter, adding that granting the request at this stage would pre-empt the proceedings.
The case was adjourned until June 26 for continuation of hearing.
Co-counsel for Atiku and PDP, Chris Uche, told newsmen after the session that the decision of the tribunal would be challenged at the Supreme Court.
Mr Uche said his clients had relied on Section 151 of the Electoral Act to file the application, adding that the provision mandated INEC to allow candidates access to its materials for inspection when the need arose.
