- Governor Fayemi has closed his defence at Ekiti state guber election tribunal
- The governor’s major opponent, Kolapo Olusola, is challenging the outcome of the July 14 governorship election
- The case has been adjourned sitting until January 9, 2019
The Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday, November 29, closed his defence at the Ekiti state governorship election petition tribunal, which sits at the premises of the high court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo, Abuja.
The tribunal, led by Justice Suleiman Belgore, has however adjourned sitting until January 9, 2019, for the adoption of final written addresses of parties in the petition filed by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kolapo Olusola, Premium Times.
Legit.ng reports that Olusola is challenging the outcome of the July 14 governorship election which saw Fayemi emerge as the winner of the election.
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The PDP’s governorship candidate alleged that Fayemi’s victory was as a result of vote-buying, widespread rigging, malpractices and that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials favoured the governor during the election.
He prayed the tribunal to declare him as the winner of the election on the grounds that he scored the majority of the lawful votes cast at the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, APC and Governor Fayemi are the respondents in the petition.
At the hearing on November 29, the counsel to Fayemi, Lateef Fagbemi, informed the three-member tribunal that the third respondent was closing his case.
He said having reviewed the case, the third respondent found it unnecessary to call other witnesses to prove his case.
The Fayemi team called four witnesses, including Adumo Rufus Sunday, who was the deputy director-general of JKF Campaign Organisation, to testify for him before the tribunal, but did not tender any exhibits.
Meanwhile, following the closure of Fayemi’s defence, parties agreed that the three respondents shall have three days to file their respective final written addresses, while petitioners shall have five days to file theirs. It was further agreed that the respondents shall have another three days to reply on point of law.
While adjourning the sitting, Belgore expressed appreciation to all parties involved in the petition for their cooperation.
The petitioner had earlier in November, closed their case before the tribunal, paving the way for the respondents to begin their defence.
He called 71 witnesses, among whom were Sunday Olowolafe, PDP legal adviser in Ekiti state; the state collation agent, and polling unit agents.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Fayemi, on Monday, November 26, clarified his stance on the fate of his immediate past predecessor, Ayodele Fayose, saying he never promised to probe the former when he eventually took over.
Governor Fayemi spoke with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He explained that there was never a time he said he would probe Fayose.
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Source: Legit.ng
