Admin l Monday, June 5, 2023
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – The Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ikeja, today dismissed the motion filed by candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour to consolidate his petition with that of the People’s Democratic Party and its candidate, Olajide Adediran.
The tribunal headed by Justice Arum Igyen Ashom also dismissed Mr Rhodes-Vivour’s request to file an additional list of witnesses in their statements on oath.
The three-man panel dismissed the application for consolidation on the grounds that the parties, as well as the facts, subject matter of their petitions and reliefs sought are different.
The Labour Party, through its candidate is challenging the victory of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hazmat in the March 18, governorship election.
The PDP petitioner is seeking among others, the disqualification of Sanwo-Olu over alleged fake school certificate.
The tribunal also ruled that Mr Adediran’s counsel had earlier indicated in the Pre-hearing information sheet, Form TF 008 of the Electoral Act 2022, that he didn’t want his action to be considered with that of others.
In the second application which was dismissed, the tribunal held that the LP’s candidate should have sought the leave of the court for extension of time within which to amend his petition, as the 21 days stipulated by the Act within which to file an election petition has since passed.
Other members of the tribunal are Justice Mikail Abdullahi and Justice Igho Braimoh. The tribunal also reviewed initial order on the number of witnesses to be called by parties in Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s petition, by allowing the APC, it’s candidate’s and that of the LP to present 30 witnesses each. Only INEC said it would limit the number of witnesses to 10.
Further hearing is fixed till June 13.
