APC, INEC CAN NEVER INTIMIDATE THE TRIBUNAL SAYS JUDGE

A mild drama occurred at the election petition tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital as the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Chinwe Onyeabor, frowned at the counsel to the factional secretary of Labour Party, Kehinde Ayanwale over request to dismiss the petition of Comrade Abayomi Arabambi with suit number EPT/OG/GOV/03/2019.

Oginni through his counsel urged the tribunal to proceed to motion of hearing, recognizing Olaposi Oginni as the authentic Labour Party.

However, the tribunal noted that, all respondents were served with the signed affidavits according to evidence before the tribunal, The counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and Residence Electoral Commissioner REC,  Opeyemi Adeyemi claimed that he was just briefed about the service motion yesterday, while he pleads before the tribunal to grant them short period to address the petition accordingly.

In response to his prayer, counsel to Labour Party, Arabambi Abayomi and Chief Mrs Modupeola Sanyaolu,  Bar. Mahwah prayed before the court to proceeds the motion of hearing since the evidence of serving other petitioners was with the honorable tribunal, so that the delay will not affect their petitioners in any way.

Meanwhile, Deji Eniseyin, counsel to All Progressive Congress (APC) also prayed that the tribunal should grant them a return date to address their petition properly. He claimed he was just been briefed on the petition.

Mahwah pleaded to the tribunal not to entertain any minute delay, he said the tribunal is having a short term of six month for the election sittings, describing other counsel defense as tactics to delay and abrupt the court process.

Justice Chinwe Onyeabor responded to all counsel  "we refuse to entertain any pressure from any counsel,...we are not here to entertain any pressure, we are from different jurisdiction, we cannot be bought or controlled by anyone, we are here to discharge our duties without any fear of mind."

"Ours is to give opportunities to the respondents, and it is in their own interests to use the opportunity judicially. said Justice Chinwe Onyeabor."

She said order of serving was made to Prince Dapo Abiodun on the 12th of April through a newspaper publications (Tribune and Punch)  dated 16th of April 2019.

She adjourned the case till 8th of May 2019 for further hearing for all petitioners.