The Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday set September 4 as the deadline for parties to adopt their final addresses.
This came after all parties concerned in the petition submitted by Ladi Adebutu, a candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), closed their respective cases.
Asserting that the governor did not receive the majority of the votes cast in the March 18 governorship election, Adebutu has brought Dapo Abiodun before the three-person panel.
Adebutu claimed in his appeal that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had violated the Electoral Act’s rules.
Adebutu closed his case after calling 94 witnesses and tendering thousands of documents as evidence at the tribunal.
The first respondent, INEC did not call any witness when it opened its case.
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.
Also on Wednesday, the ruling APC and third respondent opened and closed its case after calling four witnesses.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
