Ogun: I can’t speak English language, MAPOLY student tells Tribunal
Their was a stir at the Ogun state Governorship Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abeokuta on Wednesday as an undergraduate. Student of Moshood Abiola Polythecnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta blatantly declared that he could not speak English Language.
Sumbo Odemakinde, a witness of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor Ibikunle Amosun, (RW4) of Unit 3, ward 4 of Odeda Local government, an HND 2 Engineering student who spoke in Yoruba while being cross being examined by the Lead Counsel to the Petitioners Mr Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN) almost turned the court room to a “theatre of laughter” with his sophistry.
Odemakinde was among the four witnesses presented by Respondents today as they opened their defense.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP, and its candidate in April 11 governorship election in the state, Prince Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka who closed their case on Monday were challenging the victory of Senator Amsoun, arguing that the election was rigged in 9 local councils.
The witnesses went through cross examination by Oyeyipo, 2nd and 3rd Respondents, George Oyeniyi and Oluwajare Ogunnaike respectively.
All the four witnesses that spoke in Yoruba language adopted their sworn statement of oath of May 14, 2015 deposed to by them before the court while all of them also were made to produce their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) before the court.
All the witnesses told the court that card readers worked properly in their units during the governorship election in the state.
Odemakinde, a polling agents for the APC also disclosed that Card Readers Machine worked well in his polling units but when he was confronted that despite his claim incidents forms were filled for 96 voters, he denied having knowledge of the document.
Other were: Hazzan Olajide (RW1) of Borehole Unit 12 in Ado-Odo/Ota local government; Sitonji Joel Omobolanle (RW2) of Idi-Ota unit 15 of the same local government; Pastor Wale Onaolapo (RW3), APC Chairman of Odeda Local government.
Meanwhile, the 1st Respondent who has earlier filled to call 25 witnesses during the pre-hearing session hinted yesterday that the witnesses would be streamlined to the same number as the Petitioners or even less.
The Petitioners called nine witnesses and a Subpoena witness while defending the petition.
Seeking for adjournment yesterday, Ayeni took an oral undertaken that the witnesses would be streamlined and that he might not require the whole days recommended by law to defend the case.
The case was subsequently adjourned till Friday for further defence of the case.