Tribunal grants Isiaka’s plea for more time to inspect electoral material
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital Monday granted the request of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and its candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka for more days to inspect electoral materials used for April 11, this year election.
The request was granted as the case entered the trial stage.
Isiaka is contesting the victory of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, claiming that the election was marred by electoral irregularities and rigging in 9 local councils.
Counsel to the petitioners, Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN) who sought for the permission of the court argued that the seven days earlier granted by the tribunal was not enough to carry out the exercise.
Oyeyipo explained that the petitioners have not been able to access more than three out of nine local councils under contention adding that the documents are crucial to prove the petition.
The Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Henry Olusiyi, however, insisted that the three days sought would be within the 14 days available for the petitioners to prove their case.
In his short ruling, the Chairman granted the application and also granted an adjournment till Thursday for the continuation of the hearing.
Earlier, one of the applicants’ witnesses, Alhaji Waidan Folarin adopted his written disposition that was filed before the court.
A copy of the statement which was obtained by the news men indicated that the witness has sworn to an oath that INEC issues a circular that card readers was a sine qua non in the elections and that any person whose card was not recognised will not be allowed to vote.
Folarin also indicated that no incidence form was signed at his polling units adding the electoral officers deliberately did not use the card readers to authenticate the genuineness of the voters cards as all voters were allowed to vote regardless of whether the cards were recognised or not.
