Parties close case as Ogun tribunal adjourns for final address

  Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday adjourned till September 4 after all parties closed their cases in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP candidate, Ladi Adebutu. Adebutu had dragged Dapo Abiodun before the three-man tribunal alleging that the governor did not win the majority of votes cast during the […]

 

Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday adjourned till September 4 after all parties closed their cases in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP candidate, Ladi Adebutu.

Adebutu had dragged Dapo Abiodun before the three-man tribunal alleging that the governor did not win the majority of votes cast during the March 18 governorship election.

PDP and Adebutu in the petition marked, EPT/OG/GOV/03/2023 accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of non-compliance to the Electoral Act and corrupt practices during the election.

The petitioners also alleged that elections were disrupted by thugs in over 99 polling units, disenfranchising over 40,000 voters from participating in the election.

The petitioners had closed their cases after calling 94 witnesses and tendering over 200,000 documents in evidence.

The INEC, being the first respondent also opened and closed its case without calling any witnesses.

Abiodun who is the second respondent on Tuesday closed his defence after calling six witnesses.

Also on Wednesday, the ruling APC and third witness opened and closed its case after calling four witnesses.

Among the witnesses who testified in support of APC’s defence were Yemi Adelani, who was the APC State Collation Agent; Ifede Ifetayo, collation agent for Ikenne LG and Sulaiman Ayobami, who was Sagamu LG agent.

They were led in evidence by the APC counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and cross-examined by Wole Olanipekun (SAN) representing Abiodun, Gordy Uche (SAN), standing in for the petitioners, and Olumide Ogidan who represented INEC.

The Justice Hamidu Kunaza-led panel adjourned the proceeding till Monday, September 4, 2023, for the adoption of final written addresses.