Segun Oni vs Oyebanji: Tribunal Fixes Date For Judgment On Ekiti Governorship Election
The Ekiti State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado Ekiti has fixed Wednesday, December 28 for delivering judgment on the June 18 governorship election.
The tribunal communicated the date to the parties in the matter on Friday.
Segun Oni, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), had filed a petition against the winner of the election, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that APC didn’t have a governorship candidate.
Oni said the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala-Buni who signed the nomination form of Oyebanji and who was also superintendent over the APC governorship primaries contravened section 183 of the 1999 Constitution by accepting to be the APC National Caretaker Chairman.
He said section 183 of the 1999 Constitution stated explicitly that a sitting governor shall not accept any other executive position while in office.
Oni also said Mrs Monisade Afuye now Deputy governor presented fake WAEC results to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).
Oni’s counsel, Mr Owoseeni Ajayi told the tribunal that according to Section 136 of the Evident Act, the burden of proof was on Mrs Afuye to defend herself against the allegation and since she refused to come to the tribunal to clear herself of the allegation, her quietness and refusal to defend herself of the allegation is an admission of guilt in law.
On November 23, 2022, the tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had adjourned indefinitely but told parties they would be informed 48 hours before judgement day.
Justice Kpochi announced the judgment delivery after the parties had adopted their final written addresses, praying the tribunal to grant their prayers.
Chief Akinlolu Olujinmi (SAN), Kayode Olatoke (SAN), Mr Shaibu Aruwa (SAN) and Mr Chris Onwugbonu adopted the final addresses of APC, Oyebanji, Buni and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).