LAGOS GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION TRIBUNAL: LP CLOSES ITS CASE AS RESPONDENTS SET TO OPEN DEFENSE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Labour Party’s Governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes Vivour on Tuesday, closed its petition that is countering the victory of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the March 18 Governorship election.

The development was announced by LP’s counsel, Idowu Benson, after he tendered a Certified True Copy of the court proceedings before the three-man tribunal led by Justice Arum Ashom.

On July 3rd, the tribunal adjourned the proceedings due to the ill health of a witness scheduled to testify in favor of Rhodes-Vivour.

Benson had mentioned that the witness was in court but had to leave for treatment as he became indisposed before proceedings commenced.

All respondents’ counsel objected to the admissibility of the CTC tendered by the petitioner.

Quakers said, the CTC tendered by the petitioner was warehouses by the first respondent and does not form a part of the court record.

He said, “It is not a document before this tribunal, it is only a document signed by INEC that can be tendered. We will further argue on why this document should not be admitted in the final written address.”

After carefully listening to the objection pleas by the respondents, Justice Ashon, ruled that the document be marked and admitted as exhibit PE713.

Given this, the first respondent’s counsel, Eric Obigor said they will be taking a date to open their defense while commending the petitioner for closing its case.

Obigor said, “We will be taking a date to open our case and commend the petitioner for closing its case even though it was unexpected.”

Bode Olanipekun, also commended the petitioner for closing its case whilst stating that they should have taken the wise retreat earlier.

Quakers Norrison also stated that the court was taken by surprise as they did not expect that the bolt will be tied today.

The tribunal ordered that the first respondent should open its case on the next adjourned date but the first respondent pleaded for more time to put his house in order.

Obigor said, “At the moment, for me to secure the attendance of my witness, I can’t get them by tomorrow. I will need to do consultations with the stakeholders of my client. A day will enable me to put my house in order. ”

Olanipekun, agreed with the first respondent’s plea citing that the days have reduced after the first respondent closed its case.

Justice Ashom, adjourned till July 5, 2023.