Politics

Ogun: ‘I am handicapped’ says PDP’s counsel, as tribunal dismisses application, objection

Ogun: ‘I am handicapped’ says PDP’s counsel, as tribunal dismisses application, objection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, has dismissed the application filled by the counsel to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gordy Uche, SAN, seeking for stand down after witnesses presented damning evidences against petitioners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Four witnesses, Oyegunle Suleiman, from Sagamu, Mr Ifetayo Ifede, from Ikenne and Adelani Yemi, from Abeokuta North, including an official of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mr Omotilewa, had appeared before the panel to give evidences backed up by documents against PDP, alleging electoral infraction, ranging from manipulation, disruption.of electoral process, as well as inducement through the preloaded ATM cards with inscription of Ladi Adebutu’s late mother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the witnesses convincingly proved and defended their statements with appropriate documents tendered to the tribunal and subsequently adopted and marked as exhibits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In his reaction, counsel to the petitioner, Gordy Uche, said he needed a stand down or an adjustment to enable him prepare for his defence, describing the huge documents tendered by witnesses against the petitioners as an ‘ambush’, saying that he was handicap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He also objected to the tendering of the INEC reports as well as other documents submitted by the 3rd respondent, as he reiterated his earlier position of being given time to study the witnesses’ statements on OATH to enable him prepare adequately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the same vein, he objected to line of questioning of one of the witnesses, Mr Oyegunle Suleiman, by counsel to the 3rd respondent, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, that apart from leading the witness to adopt his statement on OATH he cannot cross examine his witness citing authorities to support his argument on the objection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He, therefore, reserved his objection to the report presented by the INEC official and others to his final address.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counsel to the 2nd respondent, Chief Wole Olanipekun , SAN, talking on the point of law and procedure, said that proceedings should continue despite the fact that the petitioner was just served the schedule. He described it as strange for the petitioner to ask for a stand down to study statement on OATH of witnesses, adding that if such was granted, it would allow the identities of the witnesses to be compromised, describing it as unusual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He explained that the idea of the coding of the identities of the witnesses was to prevent unnecessary attacks on the prospective witnesses, urging the Court to refuse the application of stand down as requested by the petitioner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the line of questioning, Olanipekun said it is procedural and therefore the Tribunal is in charge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thereafter, the 3rd respondent (APC)applied to close it’s case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tribunal, in it’s ruling said after listening to both the petitioners and respondents, it was of the opinion that the application for stand down as canvassed by the petitioner was lacking in merit, and therefore, dismissed it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the arguments on line of questioning the panel over ruled the objection being raised by the petitioner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tribunal, therefore, adjourned the case till Monday, 4th September, 2023 for adoption of written addresses by both parties, through soft copies

Sahara Weekly

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

Recent Posts

Celebrating Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje At 60 By Jimmy Enyeh

Celebrating Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje At 60 By Jimmy Enyeh   Majority of Deltans are unanimous…

3 hours ago

OTUNBA WASIU JAIYEOLA BAGS TASUED’S DOCTORATE DEGREE

OTUNBA WASIU JAIYEOLA BAGS TASUED’S DOCTORATE DEGREE   In recognition of his impactful contributions to…

3 hours ago

ZENITH BANK REWARDS HACKATHON WINNERS WITH N77.5M CASH PRIZE AT ZENITH TECH FAIR 4.0

ZENITH BANK REWARDS HACKATHON WINNERS WITH N77.5M CASH PRIZE AT ZENITH TECH FAIR 4.0  …

3 hours ago

Fuji Mi, Fuji Mi, The Source : A Journey Through The History And Leadership of Fuji Music By Alhaji Arems

Fuji Mi, Fuji Mi, The Source : A Journey Through The History And Leadership of…

5 hours ago

“In All Life’s Hardships, Keep Your Smile” By Prudent Ludidi

"In All Life's Hardships, Keep Your Smile" By Prudent Ludidi Let's talk about a powerful…

5 hours ago

Family Pleads With FG to save brother in South African prison

Family Pleads With FG to save brother in South African prison   The family of…

6 hours ago