The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened and closed its defence in the petition filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, against Governor Dapo Abiodun at the election petition tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital.
PDP and Adebutu, in the petition marked EPT/OG/GOV/03/2023, questioned the victory of Governor Abiodun based on alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
In his petition, Adebutu pointed out that guber elections in the state were allegedly disrupted by thugs in over 99 polling units, disenfranchising over 40,000 voters from participating in the March 18 election.
The petitioners, through their counsel, Chris Uche, closed their case last Thursday after calling 94 witnesses and tendering over 200,000 documents in evidence.
The petitioners called as witnesses, voters and party agents from Sagamu, Ikenne, Remo North, Odogbolu, Ogun Waterside, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Ado-Odo/Ota and others, to prove that there were disruptions.
They also subpoenaed two INEC ad-hoc staff, an official of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), a statistician and a forensic analyst to give evidence before the tribunal.
Adebutu also tendered certified true copies of INEC result sheets, voter registers, printouts from the Bimodal Voters Accreditation (BVAS) machines, incident forms, video evidence, forensic reports and other documents.
The court, last Thursday, July 27, had adjourned till today, Wednesday, August 2 for INEC to open its defence against Adebutu’s allegations, being the first respondent in the petition.
However, as the election court resumed sitting today, but INEC closed its case without calling any witnesses.
INEC’s Counsel, Olumide Ogidan, told the tribunal that the first respondent would rest its case on that of the petitioners.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State governorship election tribunal adjourned the sitting till Friday to allow Governor Abiodun to open his case.
