Ogun Tribunal adjourns till Sept 4 for final address

The Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, has adjourned till September 4 for the adoption of final written addresses, as parties close cases on Wednesday.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, had dragged the Governor of the State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, before the Tribunal, challenging his victory in the March 18th governorship election.

Adebutu and his party in the petition filed with number 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 Abiodun did not win the majority of votes cast in the election, saying further that the elections were disrupted by thugs in over 99 polling units, disenfranchising over 40,000 voters from participating in the election.

Adebutu and his party had called 94 witnesses and tendering over 200,000 documents in evidence before closing their cases.

While INEC being the first respondent also opened and closed its case without calling any witness and Abiodun, the second respondent on Tuesday closed his defence after calling six witnesses.

The ruling APC and third witness opened and closed its case after calling four witnesses.

Among witnesses who testified in support of APC’s defence are, 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.

In closing APC’s case, Oyetibo said “Having carefully examined the evidence tendered by the petitioners and the evidence adduced by the respondents, we are satisfied that we have covered the case.”

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