Osun Guber: Court of Appeal Hears Both Oyetola And Adeleke, But Reserves Judgement
The Oasis Reporters
April 25, 2019
At the hearing of Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola’s appeal against the March 22nd, 2019 judgement of the Osun state election petition tribunal which declared Senator Ademola Adeleke as winner of the osun State gubernatorial election on April 24, 2019 in Abuja, the proceedings were taken in stages:
STAGE 1.
Appeal of Governor Gboyega Oyetola against the Tribunal declaring Senator Ademola Adeleke as duly elected.
STAGE 2.
Appeal of APC against the Tribunal declaring Senator Adeleke as duly elected.
STAGE 3.
Appeal of the Electoral body, INEC against the Tribunal’s declaration of Senator Adeleke as duly elected.
The Appeal Court panel heard 1 and 2, but reserved judgement.
As regards the third segment, Gboyega Oyetola’s counsel, Chief Olanipekun’s major plank of appeal was that Justice Obiora was absent for one day of the Tribunal’s sittings in a case that spanned four months. Whereas the only 2 witnesses were called on that day out of about 100 Witnesses invited.
Appeal 3 concluded…Judgement reserved.
Chief Olujimi wrongly presented to the Honourable Appeal Court Panel that CTC of forms EC8As were dumped when in actual fact, Adeleke/PDP called 84 Witnesses who tendered their pink copies of EC8As as well as the corresponding CTCs.
INEC in it’s own appeal argued by Yusuf Ali informed the Appeal Court that the findings of the tribunal were wrong because they were based on uncertified documents dumped on the tribunal by Senator Adeleke and the PDP.
Whereas once a witness tenders an exhibit as well as testifies to them, those exhibits cannot be deemed to have been dumped, according to legal experts.
After taking arguments from parties in the appeals, Justice Jummai Sankey announced that judgement has been reserved and that the parties will be informed as soon as they are ready.
Although counsel to Governor Oyetola declined any comment on the petition, lawyer to Senator Adeleke expressed optimism that the appellate court will uphold the verdict of the tribunal.
Credits: Anjou Joseph Babatunde
Channels Television
