Osun 2018: Court rejects suit against Adeleke”s candidature

Osun State High Court presided over by Justice David Oladimeji yesterday rejected the prayers of applicants seeking a court order to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from presenting Senator Ademola Adeleke to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the candidate of the party. The applicants, Rasheed Olabayo and Oluwaseun Idowu, prayed the court […]

Osun State High Court presided over by Justice David Oladimeji yesterday rejected the prayers of applicants seeking a court order to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from presenting Senator Ademola Adeleke to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the candidate of the party.

The applicants, Rasheed Olabayo and Oluwaseun Idowu, prayed the court to stop PDP from presenting Adeleke to INEC as candidate of the party for the September 22nd governorship election in the state.

In the ex-parte application, the duo claimed that Adeleke did not possess secondary school certificate as required by Section 177 (d) of the 1999 constitution and that he is not fit to contest the election.

While ruling on the application, Justice Oladimeji said he could not grant such prayer without given opportunity to Adeleke to respond to the application.

The judge said granting such prayer may subject the court to embarrassment if the Senator presents his certificate eventually. Justice Oladimeji adjourned the matter till Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

Adeleke’s lawyer, Taofeeq Olayiwola said the application was unfounded and frivolous.

He said "Senator Adeleke has certificate. He is a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Is it possible that a Senator will not have secondary school certificate. He has it. That application is frivolous and unfounded. That is why the court dismissed it."