TABAI JCA (DELIVERING THE LEAD JUDGMENT): The trial culminating in this judgment today has been acknowledged by learned leading senior counsel for the 1st and 2nd respondents, Chief Afe Babalola as the longest in the legal history of Nigeria (see page 1 of his written submission). And I think it is truly the longest in terms of the man hours of both the Bench and Bar, the number of witnesses and exhibits. Some 355 witnesses were called and 311 exhibits admitted in evidence. The case was first mentioned on 23/5/03 and the last witness RW116 testified on 7/10/04 and learned leading senior counsel for the 3rd - 266th respondents formally announced the closure of their case on Saturday the 9th day of October 2004. With leave of court, learned counsel for the parties submitted type-written submissions spanning through nearly 800 pages. They made their oral submissions on the 10/11/04. It has been quite a monumental experience.
The petition itself was amended twice, the 2nd and last being t…