The Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal has directed the petitioners – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in the state, Senator Ademola Adeleke – to open their case on Monday by calling witnesses.

Tribunal Chairman, Justice Ibrahim Sirajo, gave the directive, following the prayer by the petitioners’ lawyer, Paul Ananaba (SAN), to allow the petitioners some time to prepare their witnesses and bring them from Osun State.

Ananaba made the request for an adjournment till Monday after the tribunal ruled yesterday on two applications by the second and third respondents.

The PDP and Adeleke are, by their petition, challenging the outcome of the election.

They are querying the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isiaka Oyetola, in the election.

Respondents to the petition are: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APC and Oyetola (first, second and third respondents).

Many people, including lawyers to the respondents who expected the petitioners to be eager to prove their case, expressed surprise at the request by Ananaba.

Respondents’ lawyers: Adesina Agbede (for the first), Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) for the second, and Abiodun Layonu (SAN) for the third, were unhappy that Ananaba sought the postponement of hearing till Monday.

They applied for cost to, among others, compensate for the wasted time.

But, due to tribunal chairman’s intervention, to the effect that the case was adjourned till Thursday for the hearing of the applications by the second and third respondents, the respondents’ lawyers changed their minds and conceded to an adjournment.

At the commencement of proceedings around 10am on Thursday, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who led Owonikoko for the second respondent, and Akin Olujinmi (SAN), who led Layonu for the third respondent, moved their applications, in which they prayed the tribunal to, among others, decline jurisdiction over the petition and dismiss it.

Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) led the petitioners’ legal team, which included Ananaba.

He also adopted the petitioners’ counter-argument.

The tribunal reconvened at noon and dismissed the applications by Olanipekun and Olujinmi on the grounds that the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, as reflected in Section 285(, precludes an election tribunal from dismissing a petition without hearing it.

Justice Sirajo said the Fourth Alteration had altered the position of the law that existed when an election tribunal, some years ago, dismissed a petition by Jimi Agabje (now PDP’s governorship candidate in Lagos State) without hearing it.

The tribunal said under Section 285( of the Constitution, it was empowered to reserve ruling on all preliminary applications, including those challenging its jurisdiction, and deliver ruling at the point of judgment.

Justice Sirajo said the tribunal would stick to its earlier decision to reserve ruling on two applications argued by the respondents, which touched on the tribunal’s jurisdiction and the competence of the petition.

Adeleke, who had witnessed the proceedings till the ruling was delivered, did not return when the tribunal returned from its noon short break.

Olanipekun, Olujinmi and Ikpeazu also did not witness the afternoon proceedings.

At the commencement of proceedings after the one hour break, Justice Sirajo asked if the petitioners were ready to open their case. Ananaba, who took Ikpeazu’s place, said the petitioners needed time to get their witnesses.

He sought an adjournment to enable the petitioners bring their witnesses from Osun State.

Justice Sirajo granted Ananaba’s request and adjourned till Monday for the petitioners to open their case.
Source: http://www.nairafame.com/2018/12/osun-governorship-dispute-tribunal.html?m=1

Lol ,
Well, he has the money to waste sha.
Osun State indigenes chose the person they want to govern them already!
Wailers can continue wailing till 2023!

The truth is, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the he-goat called Rauf will do everything within their powers to see the case swept under their their praying mats. But the fact is, Adeleke will emerge victorious, and returned as the duly elected governor of Osun state.

when Atiku wins, we will get back our mandate

Adeleke won the election ,just declare court....

post=73827270:
Lol ,
Well, he has the money to waste sha.
Osun State indigenes chose the person they want to govern them already!

But that was not in the last governorship election held

The more things change, the more they remain the same with politics.
We provide customized VIN Checks and reports for car buyers, dealers and owners to ensure you don't end up with a vehicle with dangerous and hidden damage history
Signature

Oga Adeleke calm down, you wouldn't win the case, NIGERIA is a jungle. Lawlessness thrives as long as the current crop of politicians we have are still at the helm of affairs

Una better do the right thing

abibun:
But that was not in the last governorship election held

Okay sir.
We believe it was the one held during the time of Abiola.
SDP and NRC!

Dancing senator, better face the reality. You have very few months to even use as a senator.

Good luck to Adeleke.

Afonjas no sense at all

ct2:
when Atiku wins, we will get back our mandate

Wake up, it's morning already!

Waste of time and money.

Is Adeleke still in existence?

I think the PdP has a good case in Osun

post=73827439:

Wake up, it's morning already!

its 1:48 here

contigiency:
Waste of time and money.

Him elder brother na billionaire nah.
He has money to waste!

ourfather:

its 1:48 here

Okay, sleep well!

Ok. It is noted.

Oyetola is just living on borrowed term it is a matter of time he will be shown the exit.

Guys, this news is all false; no iota of truth in it whatsoever. The name of the Lead Counsel for PDP in the election petition tribunal is Nathaniel Oke SAN. I know the man so well, and his son was a friend and colleague back in the university. And as a matter of fact and not fallacy, PDP had long concluded its case and closed same, which prompted INEC as the first Respondent to open its case. If I'm not mincing words, by now Oyetola should have opened his case as the second Respondent. So all those are lies from the pit of hell.

abibun:
But that was not in the last governorship election held

Yeah sure.
It was held when buhari was still a Military leader!

Sadly they are yet to resolve it.

JasonScoolari:
The truth is, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the he-goat called Rauf will do everything within their powers to see the case swept under their their praying mats. But the fact is, Adeleke will emerge victorious, and returned as the duly elected governor of Osun state.

Have see it

You from delta wait u guys from dat part of d country y are u so obsessed with pdp? A party dat fail see u never visit osun mr man u don't know how all went except from nairaland rant
Sir forget d fact dat pdp will rule osun mark my word d guy adeleke just wasting his time and money

olagbola55:


Have see it

You from delta wait u guys from dat part of d country y are u so obsessed with pdp? A party dat fail see u never visit osun mr man u don't know how all went except from nairaland rant
Sir forget d fact dat pdp will rule osun mark my word d guy adeleke just wasting his time and money

It's a good thing you know the State Jason comes from.


Do have a nice day.