Ogun tribunal fixes Sept 4 for final addresses

<p>Ogun State Governorship Election Petition tribunal on Wednesday fixed September 4 for parties to adopt their final addresses.</p>, <p>This followed the closure of cases by all parties involved in the petition filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu.</p>, <p>Adebutu had dragged Governor Dapo Abiodun before the three-man tribunal alleging that the governor did not win the majority of votes cast during the March 18 governorship election.</p>, <p>Adebutu, in his petition said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act.</p>, <p>Adebutu closed his case after calling 94 witnesses and tendering thousands of documents as evidence at the tribunal.</p>, <p>The first respondent, INEC did not call any witness when it opened its case.</p>, <p>To defend his victory, Abiodun, who is the second respondent, opened his case last week and called six witnesses against Adebutu, until Tuesday when he closed his case.</p>, <p>Also on Wednesday, the ruling APC and third respondent opened and closed its case after calling four witnesses.</p>, <p>Among the witnesses who testified in support of the APC are, Yemi Adelani, the APC State Collation Agent; Ifede Ifetayo, collation agent for Ikenne LG and Sulaiman Ayobami, who was Sagamu LG agent.</p>, <p>The witnesses were led in evidence by the APC counsel, Tayo Oyetibo and cross-examined by Wole Olanipekun representing Abiodun; Gordy Uche, SAN, standing in for the petitioners; and Olumide Ogidan who represented INEC.</p>, <p>In closing APC’s case, Oyetibo said: “Having carefully examined the evidence tendered by the petitioners and the evidence adduced by the respondents, we are satisfied that we have covered the case.”</p>, <p>As a result, the Justice Hamidu Kunaza-led panel adjourned proceedings till Monday, September 4, 2023, for the parties to adopt their final written addresses.</p>