The National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin on Monday, upheld the election of Hon. Ihonvbere Onozuanvbo Julius of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the member representing Owan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, following the February 25 general election.
In its unanimous decision, the tribunal dismissed the petition filed by Jimoh Iruokhaime Ojeiu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging Ihonvbere’s victory.
The tribunal also agreed with the lead lawyer to Ihonvbere Mr……. (SAN), that Ojeiu’s petition failed and ought to be dismissed with punitive cost.
The tribunal consequently granted the prayer of…. and awarded N200,000 costs against Ojeiu in favor of Ihonvbere and the APC.
Ojeiu and the PDP are 1st and 2nd petitioners in the petition marked EPT/ED/HR/03/2023.
Reacting to the over two hours judgment, Counsel to the 1st Petitioners, Rasak Isenalume, Esq, told our Correspondent, “As lawyers, our duty is to present the case as it is and back it up with relevant laws.
“So, it is for the tribunal to decide you; know we cannot change the law. All sides must have their positions, and we canvassed ours eloquently. But the tribunal has come with its decision.
“Well, like I told the tribunal, we will await further instructions from our clients as there is a further step to go.
“Most of these cases we are citing today were done at the tribunal and reversed at the court of Appeal and affirmed by the Supreme Court.”
But Counsel to Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, 2nd Respondent, Famous Osawaru, who held brief for West Idahosa, SAN, described the judgment as a master class, meticulously written, articulately delivered, and a victory for the people of Owan Federal Constituency
He maintained that the tribunal dismissed the petition following the inability of the petitioners to prove the issues of overvoting as alleged in their petition.
“They could not prove the elements to establish overvotes in the election,” he said
On his part, Counsel to the respondent, the APC Victor Asumwan, esq said: “We are glad about the judgment, and it is a reaffirmation of the decision of the electorates in Owan East and West Constituency when they voted massively for APC
“The tribunal has affirmed the position of the law that for one to prove overvoting, you must meet certain requirements of the law.
“The petitioners obviously woefully failed to meet those provisions’, he averred.
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