Ogun tribunal: Lawyers kick as two INEC staff appear to testify against Abiodun

Counsel to the respondents on Tuesday objected to the calling of two ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to testify against Governor Dapo Abiodun before the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

Newsmen reports that the two ad hoc staff, a Presiding Officer and an Assistant Presiding Officer, were summoned with a subpoena to come and give evidence in the petition filed by Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

As one of the subpoenaed staff stepped into the witness box, counsel to the respondents raised objections, saying they were not served a notice of the witnesses not until Tuesday morning.

Gordy Uche (SAN) told the tribunal that the notice was filed on Monday, saying he believed it was served yesterday.

Reacting, counsel to INEC, Remi Olatubora, said Uche “wanted to spring a surprise on us and he can’t spring a surprise on me in a case like this.”

According to Olatubora, he, as the INEC representative, needed to confirm that the subpoenaed witnesses “are truly who they claimed to be.”

Counsel to Abiodun, Taiwo Osipitan, submitted that allowing the witnesses to give evidence would deny them the right to a fair-hearing.

Before Osipitan could round off his submission, Uche rose to ask that the witnesses be stepped down.

He told the tribunal that he thought his learned colleagues were served the notice yesterday; a decision commended by Osipitan on behalf of the three respondents.

Meanwhile, Adebutu has now called about 65 witnesses as the opening of his case entered the second week.

Aina Adewale, Sowande Sunday, Ademola Adekunle, Musa Lateef Oladimeji among others testified before the tribunal on Tuesday.

They all alleged disruption of the March 18 governorship election at their respective polling units in Sagamu and Abeokuta by political thugs.

“I was not satisfied by the results declared by INEC because my vote didn’t count.

“I was disenfranchised because the election was cancelled due to the disruption by thugs,” Adewale told the tribunal.