Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, alongside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have vehemently refuted the appeal brought forth by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 gubernatorial election, Ladi Adebutu. They have labelled the appeal as lacking in merit and overly ambitious.
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos, has reserved its ruling in the appeal filed by Adebutu against the re-election of Governor Abiodun, following the compelling arguments presented by all parties involved.
Adebutu’s challenge to the ruling of the election tribunal, which upheld Governor Abiodun’s victory at the 18th March governorship election in the state, remains a focal point of contention.
During the appeal hearing, the Court of Appeal reserved its judgment, stipulating that the date for the ruling will be communicated to the concerned parties with a three-day notice period.
Chris Uche, SAN, representing the appellant, passionately urged the court to grant the appeal and overturn the tribunal’s decision, citing the tribunal’s purported failure to consider the case on its merit before dismissing the petition.
In response, A.J Owonikoko SAN contended that the appeal lacked merit. He particularly highlighted the discrepancy in the number of witnesses called in relation to the alleged 49,000 disenfranchised voters, emphasizing the insufficiency of the appellants’ evidence.
Similarly, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, representing the 2nd Respondent, urged the Court to dismiss the appeal, pointing out the relevance of the decision in Atiku’s case to the current appeal.
Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, representing the 3rd Respondent, also advocated for the dismissal of the application, underscoring the misrepresentation of the prayer in the motion by the appellants.
Notably, Chris Uche SAN and Chief Gordy Uche SAN appeared with other legal practitioners for the Appellants, while A J Owonikoko SAN and Dr Remi Peter Olatubora SAN appeared for the 1st Respondent. Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN, Prof Taiwo Osipitan SAN, and others represented the 2nd Respondent, while Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu OON, SAN, and other legal luminaries appeared for the 3rd Respondent.
