Rédaction Africa Links 24 with News Desk
Published on 2024-04-17 19:20:39
Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi presented bundles of electoral documents in seven disputed local government areas in defense of his victory in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state. Represented by his lawyer, Paul Daudu, the documents were tendered at the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja to counter the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka.
The election, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on November 11, 2023, saw Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared as the winner. However, the SDP and its candidate are challenging the outcome, listing INEC, Ododo, and APC as the 1st to 3rd respondents in the petition.
After INEC closed its defense in response to the petition, the tribunal adjourned for Ododo to commence his defense. Ibrahim Mohammed, leading Ododo’s legal team, indicated that Daudu would conduct the proceedings.
Daudu expressed readiness to initiate the defense by presenting certified true copies of the documents, which had been shared with the petitioners. He requested a brief recess for the petitioners to review the documents, a request that was not opposed by Pius Akubo, representing the petitioners.
The tribunal granted the recess, but later announced an adjournment of the proceedings until the following day for continuation. The process of inspecting the documents was ongoing at the time of the adjournment.
The tribunal, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudo, has been overseeing the case, with Ododo’s defense being a crucial part of the proceedings. The presentation of the electoral documents is a key element in the governor’s defense against the petition challenging his victory in the election.
The legal teams representing both sides have been actively involved in the proceedings, with each party presenting their arguments and evidence to support their respective positions. The tribunal continues to hear arguments and review documents as part of the legal process.
As the case progresses, both the petitioners and the respondents are closely monitoring the developments to ensure a fair and just outcome. The outcome of the tribunal’s decision will have significant implications for the governorship election in Kogi State and the political landscape in the region.
Overall, the proceedings at the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal are ongoing, with both sides presenting their cases and evidence to support their claims. The tribunal remains committed to ensuring a thorough and fair review of the petition and making a judgment based on the facts presented during the hearings.
Read the original article on DailyNigerian.com
